In the name of Allah. the Gracious. the Mcn:iful
ISIAM, THE PERFECT AND EVERIASTING FAITH FOR MANKIND
Almighty Allah says In the Holy Qur'an: , .... , ' . " 1: '1 ... ~ ... 4' 1 /. ~;;;-~ ...
"This da) have 1 perfected your religion for you and completed my favors upon you and have chosen for you Islam ())) religion." (5:4)
The Holy Prophet (SA) said:
Hadhrat Abu Huraira (RAJ narrates that we were silling with the Holy Prophet (SA) when Sura AT-Juma was revealed: "And he will appear among others who have not yet joined the companions of the Holy Prophet (SA)." We asked: "Who are they, 0 Prophet of God." Among us the Salman (RAJ of Persia was sitting. The Holy Prophet (SA) placed his hand upon Salman (RA) and said: "If faith ascends to the Pie ides some men from among these will bring it back to earth." (Bukhari)
The Promised Messiah (AS) ttTote: 1 .. ~.~,;·~ ;%vv t'~~ ~_,J~:·j IJ.i'...c~~:.::.,~:~ ... · C';:~__,·_r~,.., ~~~· • • • • ,~ ii_~/·-cYv~~~.,_,;~ ~(~ 1 ,.,,,,,;1..r~i:-JL?. L . J.Jt(:,JL:"JY AHMADIYYA MUSLIM COMMUNITY, USA SOth JALSA SALANA (Annual Convention) SOUVENIR - June 1998
CONTENTS
Contcm/Glos~ary ...... I Hadhrar Mir1a Ghulam Ahmed (AS) •...... • ...... •.•...... •...... •. • . 2 The Ahmad1yyn Muslim Community - An lntroduct1on ...... 3 So said thl' Promi,cJ Me,,iah (ASJ ...... • .•...... 4 Rai 'at Form I Condillons of Rai 'at ...... 6 Khilnfat in Islam ...... 7 Rc-Estahli<>hmcnt of Khilalat in 1... 1am through the Prrnmscd Messiah (AS) • .. ... • . 8 Hadhrat Khalitntul Mas1h IV (ABAJ A Profile ...... 9 Keeprng Company with the righteou:-...... I0 The Blessings ,rnd Ohjccti\es of Jalsa Salana ...... 11 lntcmauonal J a Isa S.llana UK ...... 12 Message from /ladluar Khahfatul Masih IV (AHA ) . • ...... • .. . •...... 14 Some Retlect1on' by Anur. USA (Let us he -worthy) ...... 15 List of Jab.a S.tlana USA ...... 17 Jalm Sala11a USA ( 1948-1998)...... 18 1983 llll::>ll Salcma. Rabwah. Pakistan (Centerfold) ...... 4-t Proclamntmns (States. Congress. Counties. Cities) ...... 46 Some Ahmadtyya C'ontrihutiom. and Service' ...... 53 Message of hlam in USA in the time of the Promised Messiah (AS) ...... 54 Ahmadiyya Muslim Missionaries in USA ...... 56 Ahmadiyya Puhlications in USA ...... 61 Prominent Ahmadi Mu,lim' in USA ...... 62 l andmarks m the History of Ahmadiyyat in USA ...... 64 Da 'll'at Jlallali m USA ...... 68 MTA/lnkmet m North America ...... 70 Waqf-e Nau in USA ...... • ...... 72 Fmanc1al Sacntice!. b) Ahmadi Mu~lim ... in USA ...... 73 Talirik-e-Jadtd in USA ...... 76 Waqf-e-Jacl din USA . . . . . • ...... 77 UIJna lmaillali USA ...... 78 Ma;lis Anwrulla/i USA ...... 80 Ma;lt s Kli1u/da111-11l-Al111wdi):rn USA ...... 82 Mosque\ and Miss10n Houses in USA - Dateline ...... 84 Current Amir am.I bxe«.:utives in USA ...... 86 Current .lama'ats and Prc,idents in USA ...... 88
ABA: ayyada Jiu//alw taala benasrelzil a:,ee:, Bai'at: Initiation (May Allah, the Exalted, strenghthen hi~ hands Da'wat /la/Lah: Imitation loward Allah with powerfu l support) HadIt rat: Revered AS: alailri.1 salaam (Peace be on him) Hazoor: His Holiness RA: rad/ii A//alw taala a11'10 (May Allah, the Exallet..I, Jama'at: Community be pleased with him) Majlis-e-frfaa11: Q&A Sessin with Ha.wor RT: raliema lruf/alw taa/a (M:iy All ah, the Exallcd, Mulaqaat: Audience with Hazoor have mercy on him) Qiyyamali: Doomsday SA: sa/ /af/aho a/aihe 11 •a saf/am (May Peace and Tabligh: Preaching Blessings of All ah he on him) ( Ill [) I I
Hadhrar Mirza Ghulam Ahmad (AS), the Founder of the world-wide Ahmadiyya Mu.,lim Community, was horn on 13 Februaryl1935')n Qadian, a small town in Northern India which totally lacked all modem facil ities of communicationwith the rest of the world.
Hadhrat Ahmad (AS) received his elementary educa tion at home. Sint.:e hi!> childhood, he showed an extra ordinary indifference to material values and dedicated most of hi!> time either in the study of the Holy Qur'an and other Islamic literature or in supplication to God Almighty. Although he accepted some domestic responsibilities entrusted to him, his lack of interest in worldly affairs remained a matter of deep concern to his father.
The aggressive and often offensive Christian and Hindu polemics against hlam and its Prophet (SA) was a mat ter of deep concern and agony to Had/ml/ Ahmad. He was extremely distressed by the vulgarity of the adver saries of Islam and the pitiable state of the Muslim reli gious scholars and masses who were unable to defend the honor of their prophet and the glory of their faith.
Had/ma Ahmad (AS) took over the responsibility to defend Islam and its glorious prophet Muhammad (SA). From about 1872 he began to emerge as a reputable scholar, an eloquent speaker and a distinguished preacher of Islam. He began to receive Divine revela tions from God Almighty at the age of 40 which he cou tinued to receive till his last breath.
In 1882, he received a Divine revelation that he had been commissioned as the Reformer of the fourteenth century of the Islamic era to re-establish upon the earth the faith which had vanished from it. ln 1889, he claimed that he was the Promised Messiah and Mahdi whose advent in the latter days had been prophesied by the Holy Prophet of Islam, Hadhrat Muhammad (SA).
Hadhrar Ahmad's claim to be the Promised Messiah raised a public outcry because the Muslims generally believed that he was to physically descend from Heaven in the person of Jesus Chri<,t (AS). Orthodox Muslim divines condemned him as a disbeliever whose assassination would be an act of high spirirual merit.
On 23 March I 889, Hadhrat Ahmad (AS) laid the foundation of lhe Ahmadiyya Mu-.lim Communit}. The signs mentioned in the Old Scriptures and the Holy Qur'an indicated that the Promised Messiah and Mahdi would complete the task of re-establishing the superiority of [slam over all other faith' [n Hadhrat Ahmad (AS) these prophecies were fulfilled. He firmly e<,tablished the superiority of Islam over all other faiths. He passed away on 26 May 1908 in Lahore. 1 llF 111\IADI '\'. ll SI I 1 ('0 t~ll NI f\ \ I I RODl ( 110
The Ahmadiyya Muslim Community is a religious orgam1at1on within Islam. international in its scope. which was e5tablished in 1889 by Hadlirut MirTa Ghulam Ahmad (AS) in a small. remote and unknown village, Qadian. in the Punjah. India. He claimed to be the expected reformer of the latter days, the Awaited One of the world community of religion-. and the Second Coming of Jesus Christ (AS). The movement he started is an embodiment of the benevolent me-.sage of Islam - peace, universal hrotherhood. and submission to the Will of God - in it!. pristine purity.
The Ahmadiyya Muslim Community was created under divine guidance with the objective of reju venating Islamic moral and spiritual values. Hadlm11 Ahmad (AS) proclaimed Islam as the future religion of man. With this conviction and prediction, the Ahmadiyya Muslim Community. within a century, has reached the corners of the Earth. Wherever ii is established, it endeavours to exert a constructive intluence of Islam through Islamic publications, construction of mosques, sociul pro jects. educutional institutes, and health services despite being bitterly persecuted in some countries. In pursuance of Islam's true teachings, Ahmadi Muslims have earned the distinction of being a law abiding, peaceful. persevering and benernlent community.
The Community cncoumges interfaith dialogue. and diligently tries to correct misunde,-.,tanding.s about Islam in the West. It advocates peace. toler The Promised Messiah ance. lo\'e and under.standing among followers of writes in his book different faiths. It firmly believes in and acts upon Tazkira-tush-Shahadataill the Qur'anic teaching: "There is no compulsion in religion." (2:257) It strongly rejects violence and "O mankind. hearken. This is the lerroriMn in any form and for any reason. prophecy of God Who made the heavens and the earth. He will The Community offers a clear presentation of spread this movement in all coun Islamic wisdom. philosophy. morals and spirituality tries and will give it :-.upremacy as derived from the Holy Qur'un and the practice over all. through rea-,on and argu ( Swuwh) of the Holy Prophet of Islam, Muhammad ment. Remember. no one will (SA). Some Ahmadi members, like late Sir descend from Heaven.... The third century from today will not have MuhJrnmad Zafrullah Khan (RA) (who :-.erved as the first Foreign Minister of Pakistan: President of completed when all those who had the 16th General Assembly of the UNO; President been waiting for Jesus.... will and Judge of the International Court of Justice. at despair of his coming. . . I came the Hague) and Dr. Abdul Salam (the Nobel only to sow the seed ... It will now Laureate in Physics in 1979). have also been recog grow and blos<,om forth and none dare retard its growth." ni1cd by the world community for their outstanding services and achievements in spiritual and secular (Roo/iani K/wzain 20:67) fiel After the demise of its founder, the Ahmadiyya Muslim Community has been headed by his elect ed successors. The present Head of the Movement, Had/ma Mirta Tahir Ahmad (ABA), was elect ed in 1982 a ... the fourth successor. His official Litle is Khalifatul Masih IV. He has launched sever al social projects to help poor countries in Africa, and under his personal supervision and guidance the Holy Qur'an ha.'> been trnnslated in 52 major languagl!s of the world. He has also initiated a global satellite-hased television program (Mw,hm Television Ahmadiyya) which provides moral and spiritual guidance to millions in more than 150 countries around the clock. The Ahmadiyya Mu.,lim Community has e-.tabli-.hcd branches in I 53 countries in Africa. America!>. Asia, Au-.tralia. and Europe. Al present. its total membership is about 15 million "'orld wide. and the numbers are increasing day by day. More than 3 million people accepted Ahmadiyyat, the true Islam. during 1997. This is the most dynamic denomination of Islam in mod ern history. II ~~W.~J.,w~;;1Lf~J,v.JJw"1/.WJ'~-''~.1_,t1_,,~, ., ~,,iL 1.5J(~~1t:(i.::.~~.i.:fy,.-iJl~JJ.JY.~ ~tLvf '7--/.~~tLv~lJ~.1'.. 4'~'f.J/.J./y:~/iJL{Jj.J• ~ ,~~_,_,r(, ~ ~ ~Ll.f'1;.. ~~?£L,11,:,,.,1JI ,,. .l(:~iJIJ'~,Aif.d.;:,ij:r:.i· ,. 4J(\J/4--:-:-'~~Al,_,~l(~_;'-.,,i.:" .... ; , 4 ~~I. , ... ,, :., • ?Jt1;.:,,;~~~V.fIP~v ~J.''~)~L!· ~·o~ J~4.uUJ! '5) °£r;v(i/.i/)lo.W; (.~'vL..,r?~;;£v:f;;;tJffvt - " . , ' """' , ..i!. .•,.1 .~~i.:r~·(..=1.:::...1., ~v}IY2~'6fJJi;o~~:;:;_,~ ...... , . ,;..}r,JJ;,,r.:v~>7/~,-.tzv/v/ - 4 .. .. '-'~LI'='. f ~1~.!Jv'~-'~k., .. , ., ir.Y}0q;?1(r;" ~~)nJ'~ ~~i::tJ.NJG~.t~Jj1J; .=J~·~JI ~~~~lfl~;-f £c(vJ ;,r: 4 jC-j/"v;~~/Jf ~)~WJ~~JLv-!~ ~(121,.fA 't ~wJCi.NYA'~...,v~)).A ' . ., , :~X-C..J~~.W£~L)V..:P-!J.. .,.. .. '(l,1~!;1) SO SAID THE PROMISED MESSIAH (AS) Our soul and every particle of our being are prostrate before the Mighty. True and Perfect God from whose hand every soul and every particle of creation. together with all its faculties. came into being. and through Whose support every being is sustained. Nothing is outside His knowledge. or outside His control, or out- side His creation. ( Naseem-e-Da 'wat) Allah, the Lord of Glory, made the Holy Prophet (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) to be bearer of the seal. that is. He granted him the seal for the deliverance of spiritual perfection which has not been granted to any other prophet. That is why he is granted the title of Khatamamzabiyyin. His obedience grants the perfections of prophethood. Becoming the object of his spiritual attention. turns one into a prophet. This spiritual power has not been granted to any other prophet. ( Haqiqatul Wahi) All qualities of prophcthood and messengerhood reached their ultimate and were brought to perfection in our lord and master (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him). (/s/ami Usu! ki Philosophy) The Gist and the essence of our faith is. "La llaha lllallaho Muhammadur Rasulullah," There is none wor thy of worship except Allah; Muhammad is the messenger of Allah" The belief to which we adhere in this world, and with which, by the grace and blessings of Almighty Allah. we will depart this temporary world, is that our Lord and Master Muhammad (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) is Khatamnumnabiyyin (Seal of the Prophets) and Khairulmursalin (the best of all the ones sent by God). Faith has been brought to perfection through him. and the favor of God, which enables man to adopt the right path and reach Almighty Allah, has been conveyed in full. ( /~alai-e-Auham) The beauty and charm of the Holy Qura'n is the light of the existence of every Muslim The Moon is the beloved of others; our beloved is the Holy Qur'an We pondered long, but could not find anything like it Why should it not be unique; it is the holy word of our Gracious Lord Each of its discourses is pulsating with an eternal spring Such beauty is not in any orchard; nor is any garden like it. There is none that can equal the Holy Word of our Lord the Great Be it a pearl from Amman or a ruby from Badaksh ( Bralzin-e-Ahmadiyya) lf@not from the the Ummat (followers) of the Holy Prophet (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) and if I had not followed him. then even if my good deeds equalled all the mountains of the earth, I could not have attained the honor of Divine communication and discourse, because now all prophethoods are closed except the prophethood of Muhammad (SA). (Tajalliyat-e-1/ahia) After God I am inebriated with the love of Muhammad. If this is infidelity, then by God I am a great inftdeL ( 0 I>ITI > S OF I ITI \TIO INTO AHl\1\DIY\'.AT by HAZRAT MIRZA GHULAM AHMAD OF QADIAN THE PROMISED MESSIAH AND MAHDI (AS) THE INITIATE SOLEMNLY PRO~llSES THAT: I. He/She shall abstain from Shirk (association of any partner with God) right up to the day of hi!Jher death. II. He/She shall keep away from falsehood, fornication, adultery. trespasses of the eye. debauchery. dissipation, cruelty, dishonesty. mischief and rebellion. and will not permit himself/herself to be carried away hy pass10ns. however strong they might he. III. He/She shall regularly offer the five daily pr.iyers in accordance with the commandments of God and the Holy Prophet (SA) shall try his/her best to be regular in offering the Talwjud (pre-dawn supererogatory prayer) and invoking Dam(}{/ (blessings) on the Holy Prophet (SA): <.hall make it hio.Jher daily routine to ask forgiveness for his/her sins and lo n:membcr the bounties of God and to praise and glorify Him. IV. He/She shall. under the impul-.e or any passions, cause no ham1 whatsoever to the creatures of Allah in general, and Muslims in particular. neither by hi,fher tongue or hands nor by any other means. V. He/She shall remain faithful to God in all circumstances of life, in sorrow and happiness. adversity and pros perity. in felicity and trial: and ~hall in all conditions remain resigned to the decree of Allah and keep himself/her self ready to face all kind\ of md1gmties and sufferings in His way and shall never turn away from it at the onslaught of any misfortune: on the contrnry, he/she shall march forward. VI. He/She shall refrain from following un blamic custom' and lustful inclinations, and shall DECLARATION OF INITIATION completely submit himself/herself to the authorit) H&lr11 M.iru Tahr A!wNd, k.h.W.M MMth IV of the Holy Quran : and shall make the Word of (SA) God and the Sayings of the Holy Prophet the lhinb,subm•ff'IY O..lM-'" tlln .,dutyr-i~ifoat.d.ard~ srwd ,.._.~me..,Chrfold guiding principle in every wall.. of his/her life. ot~~''"'p~·.c..wtptavtor'""' •J ;.~; ·~~ ~r ~f;'J .!I;_,.:.:,·~;~;!~!~ ~f~T VII. He/She shall entirely give up pride and van •J;_~; ·~r~ ~1 ~1;'J .!I;_,.:.:,·~; :1J1 ;, ~'~ ~f~i ity and shall pass all his/her life in humbleness. lb.MwatalN,,,,,,,,.,a~.wch.,o/~ "4' .-~'Hr· ,.O,.~hAS"°f»llM'I cheerfulness. forbearance and meekness. Attd I bNf" 9'hl '1m ~ t'" ""'..,,, .Jfv1 "....,, I enter lfu.. ~ ... Ahnwdivr• ,.,,,.... i.n hi.Im .. IN h.tnd al T... HIR ... Hl\\1\0. I tw.... firm fach ..... H&lhl ~ ....,...,IW'I rp«rMtdblrssinpolA't.h brupuf) ltmiJ "Alwl.IMUI N.tirnwn, lhe Se.J VIII. He/She shall hold faith. the honor of faith, ol .ilr the Prophen. 1.11!0 bef~ rh.11 Hur.it M1rri11 Chui•"' /\tim.J lpl!'.1 !Tmnslated from /shtelwr Takmeel-e· Tabl(~h. January 12, 1889) KUil AFAT I ISi AM Almight) Allah sa)s in the Holy Qur'an: "'Allah has promi'>ed to those among you who helicvc and do good works that He will ~urely make them sm:cessor'> in the earth. as He made succe-.sors from among those who were hefore them; and that He will surely establish for them their religion which He has chosen for them and that He will surely give them in exchange security and peace after their fear: they.,.., ill wor-,hip Me. and they will not a~sociate an) thing with Me. Then whose is ungrateful after that. they will he the rebellious." (24:56) The Holy Prophet (SA) said: "O Muslims, this prophcthood will remain with you as long as Allah wishes it to remain. Then it would come to an end, to he replaced with Khilafat which would be on the pattern of prophcthood (as it is sup plement to it) and would remain a.'> long as Allah wills. Then this Khilafat would also come to an end. The rulers who cut (are cruel to people) will replace them for as long as Allah wills. Then this period will abo come to an end. Then there will be the rule of usurpers. and that period too will come to an end. After that Khilafat, on the pattern of Prophethood. would re-emerge. After saying this, the Holy Prophet (SA) did not add any further comments." (Ma.\'llad Ahmad: Vol. 5, Page 404) • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • In accordance with the promise of Almighty Allah and the prophecy of the Holy Prophet Muhammad (SA). Khilafat was established in Islam after the demise of the Holy Prophet (SA). But it lasted only about thirty years and was followed by the kingship and foreign rule. All Muslims eagerly looked forward to the re-establishment of Khilafat on the pat tern of prophethood as prophesied by the Holy Prophet (SA). II RE-ESTABLISII:\llE T o:F KillLAI 1\.1"' I ISi \i\I TllRC>UC,.11 THE PRO:\llSED l\IF..SSI \II (AS) In his book Al-*1siyyat. the Promised Mes\iah (AS) informed his Community that he had received revela tions ahout his demise in the near future. Then he added: So. therefore, my dear friends. when this has always heen the way how the will of Allah works, show ing two manifestations of His power. so that He should demolish two false joys of the opponents. is it possible that now He '>hould proceed to alter this long established divine practice? You should not, therefore. grieve over what I have told you, nor should you let yourselves be heartbro ken. for you are destined to '>cc the second manifestation of God\ power as well. And the coming of that manifestation would be better for you, for it would he everlasting. of which the chain shall not hreak until the Day of Qiyya111a'1. (Al-Wasiyyat, Page 6) This prophecy was fulfilled in a magnificent manner. when. on the demise of the Promised Messiah (AS) in 1908. the Ahmadiyya Mu.,lim Community elected Hadhrat Maulana Nuruddin (RA) a& the first Khalifa of the Promised Messiah (AS). The blessing of Khilafat has continuously remained with the Community. Hadhrat Hakim Maulvi Nuruddin, Khalifatul Ma'.'.ih I (RA) was a descendant of Hadhrat Umar Farooq (RA), the second Khalifa of Islam. He was a very learned man and studied for a long time at the holy cities of Mecca and Medina. He was also a talented physician and an expert theologian. When the Promised Me~siah (AS) initiated the Bai 'at on march 23, 1889. he was the tirst to take the pledge. He served as the fir-.. t Khalifa of the Promi-..ed Messiah (AS) for six years. He is well known for the lessons he gave on the Holy Qur'an. Hadhrat Mirta Bashiruddin Mahmud Ahmad (RA) wa' born in 1889 in fulfillment of a great prophecy vouchsafed to the Promi-.ed Messiah (AS). He was elected as Khalifa in 191.f and championed the cause of Islam for 51 years. He is well known for the larger and the shorter Commentary on the Holy Qur'an. He also initiated many schemes and organised the auxiliaries within the Community. He opened the missions to spread Islam throughout the world and opened schools and hospitab in Africa. Hadhmt MirLa Na~ir Ahmad (RT}, the eldest son of Hadhrat Khalifatul Masih II (RA), was elected as the third khalifa in 1965. He committed the entire Holy Qur' an to memory in early childhood. He was educated at Oxford and then served as the head of auxiltary organizations and as Principal of the Talimul Islam College, Rabv. ah. He initiated the Nus rat Jahan Scheme for the up! ift of health and education in six West African countries. He also initiated the centennial Jubilee scheme. He lead the Community for 17 years. H 1/JHR iT 1IRZA TAHIR AH MAI> KIIAI IFATt;I M \Sill IV ( tBA) Hadhrat Mirza Tahir Ahmad (ABA) is the spiritual head of the world-wide Ahmadiyya Muslim Community. He is the fourth successor of the Promised Messiah, Hadhrat Mirza Ghulam Ahmad (AS). HodhraT Mirza Tahir Ahmad ( ABA) wa~ born on 18 December 1928 in Qadian, India. He was educated in India, Pakistan and the UK (at The London School of Oriental and African Studies). He devoted his life to the service of faith and served with great distinction in various capacities under the leadership of the sec ond and the third Khulafa (successors to the Promised Messiah). In 1982, he was elected as the Head of the world wide Ahmadiyya Muslim Community following the demise of the third Khalifa. The anti-Ahmadiyya Ordinance XX, imposed on 26 April 1984, by General Zia, the then dictator President of Pakistan, denies the fundamental human rights and religious freedom to Ahmadi Muslims and makes the daily life of an Ahmadi a crime. The Ordinance made it impos!>ible for him to function as the head of his Community while remaining in Pakistan. After due consultation, he decided to leave the country. Three days after the promulgation of the ordinance, he flew from Karachi and came to London where he currently lives. Hadhrat Mirza Tahir Ahmad (ABA) is widely traveled and often delivers addresses to diverse audiences from all walks of life and widely differing cultures. He has written many books in Urdu as well as some in English. 'Murder in the Name of Allah' and 'Islam's Response to Contemporary Issues' arc two of bis recent English publications which the reader may find of interest. He has written extensively in Urdu and occasionally expresses himself in Urdu poetry. He has recently completed a comprehensive book on the subject of "Revelation, Rationality, Knowledge and Truth." He deal~ with both the scientific discoveries and the different philo sophic and sociological schools of thought with a penetrating insight. The book proves con clusively that behind all evolution and progress there is a plan and design of the Almighty Creator. By quoting extensively from the Holy Qur'an, he brings out vividly, how Almighty Allah, who revealed the Holy Qur'an, and who is also the Creator of the Universe, foretold the events which are unfolding in the world now. He has also added his insight into the prophecies made in the Holy Qur'an about the future. Hadhrat Mirza Tahir Ahmad (ABA) leads the Community of about 15 million people in 153 countries. Millions watch him over Muslim Television Ahmadiyya - a satellite television network which broadcasts all over the world in eight languages. His addre!.sei. and other meetings are often accompanied by 'Question and Answer' sessions. He is always ready Lo respond to questions agitating the minds of his audience on any topic, religious or temporal, on the basis of the all-encompassing teachings of Islam. KE JPI (, C()~IP\ Y WITll THE RI<;H1 EOl S Almighty Allah says in the Holy Qur'an: "O ye who believe! Fear Allah and be with the truthful." (9: 119) The Holy Prophet (SA) said: Hadhrat ibn Abbas (RA) relates that the Holy Prophet (SA) was asked: Whose company is better? He answered: "Of him who reminds you of Allah when you see him, adds to your knowledge when he speaks, and reminds you of the here after with his deeds." (At-Targhib wat-Tarhib). Hadhrat Abu Huraiah (RA) relates that the Holy Prophet (SA) said: "All ah has angels who travel constantly looking for companies who gather for the remem brance of Allah. When they find one so occupied they sit down with them and cover one another with their wings so that the space between them and the sky is filled. When the company disperses the angels get up and ascend to heaven. Allah, the Lord of honor and glory, asks them (and He Himself knows best): Whence do you come? They answer: We come from some of Thy servants in the earth who proclaim Thy Holiness and Greatness and Unity and praise Thee and supplicate Thee. He inquires: What do they ask of Me? They answer: They ask of Thee Thy Paradise. He inquires: Have they seen My Paradise? They answer: No Lord. Then He inquires: What if they were to see My Paradise? They say: They also seek Thy protection. He inquires: From what do they seek My pro tection? They answer: From Thy Fire, Lord. He inquires: Have they seen My Fire? They say: No. He inquires: What if they were to see My Fire? They Add: And they ask Thy forgiveness. He says: I have forgiven them, and bestowed upon them what they ask for and have granted them My protection against that from which they seek protection. They say: Lord, there is among them one, So and So, a sinful creature who only passed by and sat down among them. He says: Him also have I forgiven. They are a company whose associate shall not be frustrated." (Muslim) TH~ BI ~ SSINC-.S A D ()BJF..CTIVES OF JAi SA SALA I 1 HI \\ ORDS 01 1 HI PRO llSF D tf. SSI H SJ BENEFITTING FRO:\t THE COMPANY OF THE RIGHTEOUS One of lhe objectives is that the love of the world may subside and the love of Allah and His Noble Messenger may overpower the heart ... To achieve this objective, it is essential that time be spent in the com pany of the nghteous. You must find occasions lo meet. To join in the Bai'at and then not to come for 11111/aqat render-. the Bai'at totally devoid of blessings. and mere fonnality. (Aasmani Faislah) BUILDING HIGH MORAL CHARACTER AND ENTHUSIASM FOR THE AFFAIRS OF THE FAITH The real purpose and objective of this jalsa was that the members of our conununity should cultivate such a change in themselves that their hearts are ever inclined toward the Hereafter and the fear of Allah takes root in their hearts and they become a model of piety, righteousness. sympathy. and tenderness and they become motlels of brotherhoo SPIRITUAL BENEFITS AND REWARD Do not worry about minor losses m the path of Allah anti Hii. Apostle. Allah rewards the sincere believer at every step. He does not let any of their toils and troubles go unrewartled ... There arc many other benefits which will contmue to manifest themselves from time to time. It is incumbent on everyone who has the means to undertake the journey to come to the Jalsa ... GOOD PLANS FOR THE SUPPORT OF FAITH One of the objectives of this Jalsa is to make good plans for the propagation of faith in Europe and America. because it has been well cstabfo,hed that the white people of Europe and America are getting ready to accept the true faith. (lshtelwr) MEETING NEW MEMBERS Another temporary advantage of these meetings will be that the member'> who have newly JOmetl the Community will be able to meet their brother<; and thus establishetl ties of brotherhood anti mutual recogni tion. ( Aa.mumi Fmslah) TO REMOVE BICKERING AND ALOOFNESS In thl'> Jalsa effort., will be m:itle to remcm: mutual bickering and aloofness among the members through the grace anti mercy of Allah. (Aasmani Fais/ah) PRAYING FOR FORGIVENESS OF THE DECEASED Those members who have departed from this temporary abode will be remembered in prayer.. and in this Jalsa. (Aasmani Faislah) NOT A WORLDLY CONFERENCE The conference should not be treated like an ordinary worldly conference. It is an event based solely on the suppon of the true faith and propagation of the religion of Islam. The foundation stone of the Community ha<> been laitl tlown by Allah Almighty Himself. He has prepared nations to join it in the near future. This has been done by the One Who is All-Powerful. Nothing is impossible for Him. (lslrtehar. December 9, 1892) PRAYER FOR THOSE WHO COME TO JALSA / fte I close thb announcement with a pr.iyer that Almighty Allah be with those who undertake this journey sole ly for the sake of Allah. May He reward them abuntlantly. May~have mercy on them and relieve them of their troubles. pain anti anxieties. May Allah fulfill their nohle desires and may He raise them. on the Day of Judgement. in the company of His servants who have attained His grace and mercy. May He safeguard them throughout their Journey. 0 Allah! 0 Ye with abundant Grace and Bounty! 0 Merciful! Accept all these prnyers and grant U'> a victory over our opponents with glorious signs. ~ Thou hast all power and strength. Ameen! (lshrehar, December 7, 1892) ~ Ue...;lr ALSA SALANA, UK 10 DOWNING STR EET LONDON SWIA 2AA THE PRIME MINISTER 23 July 1997 I would like to send all the members of the A.hmadiyya Muslim Association my very best wishes for your annual convention on 25'h to 27'11 July. 1bis event is of international significance, with 12,00J members drawn from the Ahmadiyya Muslim Associations of 160 countries from across the globe meeting in Tilford, Surrey. Improving race relations and breaking down barriers between people of different faiths is a major priority of my government and I wdcome the contribution made by the Ahmadiyya Muslim Associacion toward achieving this goal. I am sony that I cannot be with you. I wish you all every success for the future. RT HON TONY BIAIR MP ·,;,_\..L'....i~~_;.ij...:1J ~~.!»~~ , ,,. ~ TAtilA A>1MAD HE.AD OF Tl-lE A~V" A COMMUN• rY IN ISLAM Assalamo Alaikum Wa Ramatullahe Wa Barakatohu: The souvenir. which the reader holds in his hands. is publisheu under the auspices of Jama'at Ahmadiyya U.S.A. It celebrates the stupendous progress made by the Jamaal during the last 50 years of its annual sessions ending on June 28. 1998. Normally I do not endorse such anniversaries and prefer a constant on going strife which does not spare me enough time to count the rapidly vanishing weeks. months and years into the vast realm of the past; yet I heartily approve of this anniversar} which the souvenir is capturing. It will serve, I believe. as an excellent introduction of what the Jamaal stands for. to all mm.Jim and non-muslim readers alike. This souvenir, most faithfully presents the world-wide vision of the Ahmadiyya Muslim Jamaal with reference to the ambitions and achievements of the Jamaat in U.S.A. Their 50th Jalsa, to be held in June 1998, will be attended by many important guests specially invited for this historic occasion. The hosts will enormously benefit from their august presence while they will he no less enriched by this rare experience. The visitors will be able to personally witness the highly charged spiritu al atmosphere of this Jalsa and carry back its cherished memories to their respective countries. Thus its beauty, its colour and its fragrance will be disseminated throughout the world. As a result. the U.S.A. Jamaat will be gifted with the unique opportunity to introduce Islam to the entire world as correctly understood and practiced by the world-wide Ahmadi}ya Muslim Community. I realize. of course. that there still exist flaws and short-comings in various area~ of Islamic prac tices in many chapters there, yet it cannot he denied that the rei..olve with which they are labori ously engaged in constantly improving their quality of life is a model to follow for the rest of the world. Their gigantic march-forward in offering financial sacrifices at an ever increasing pace. year after year, after year. is a treat for the eye! Applauds are ordinary things which have no lasting substance but the blessing of sincere prayer, accepted by God. lasts for ever. Please join me in the prayer for the entire U.S.A. Jamaal. and for their humble. yet exceptionally successful Ameer, and for all the office-bearers and workers who have made this miracle happen! Allah bless them all. MIRZA TAHIR AHMAD London 11th April, 1998 SOME REFLECTIONS BY S H IBZALJA MIRZA MUZAFFAR AHMAD. AMIR USA LET US ALWAYS REMAIN WORTHY RECIPIENT OF PROI\1ISED lVIESSIAH'S (AS) FERVENT PRAYERS FOR THE GLORY OF ISLAM Tlte Precious Legacy of Sacrifice needs to be Preserved and Broadened As we celebrate the 50th US Jalsa Salana during the last weekend of June 1998, our mind goes back to the year 1889 when the Promised Messiah. under divine command. claimed to be the Mahdi and the later day Reformer predicted by all principal reli gions. How utterly modest indeed was the start when a feeble lonely human voice rose from a tiny unknown village of Qadian, completely cut off from the rest of the world with neither rail or road connection nor even a post or telegraph office or a newspaper. It was in this unhelpful envi ronment that the Promised Messiah (AS) proclaimed that Allah has revealed to him that: 0 (I ~;efdv,,~V£~.J/t:?~~ • "I shall cause thy message to reach the corners of the earth" Today that lonely voice resounds all over the world with increasing strength and vigor. A 24 hours telecast of Muslim Television Ahmadiyya (MTAl), energizes lis teners to Hadlirat Khalifatul Masih lV's (ABA) sermons, addresses and other programs Ahmadiyya Jamaal is now es ta bl ished in 153 countries and all this global progress has been achieved despite desperate opposition by so many - including powerful and resourceful governments. Few may now remember that at the first Jalsa in Qadian in the year 1891, the total attendance was only 75, and here we are, world apart from Qadian, celebrating our Jalsa with over 7000 participants in our beautiful Baitur Rahman Mosque. It will be remembered that at the last Jalsa Salana held in Rabwah in 1983 the attendance was over a quarter mil 1ion who were housed and served meals by a very large num ber of volunteers in Jamaat's best traditions. -it aghast. 111 .ilnm flu h. Stories abound when the Promised Messiah sold his wife's jewelry to serve food to those who had come to attend a Jalsa in Qadian, or when he appealed to his follow ers in Kapurthala to raise Rupees 60 (less than 2 dollars in current terms) in order to print and circulate a pamphle t. The messenger, Hadlzrat Munshi Zafar Ahmad (RA), who was also from Kapurthala went to Kapurthala and raised the whole amount himself through sale of his wife's jewelry without telling anyone about ·it. Later, when the Kapurthala Jamaal heard about it, they were mad that the opportu nity to serve the Jamaal was denied to them. Such was the spirit and enthusiasm which prevailed and indeed still prevails. Ahmadiyyat today, with Allah's grace and bounties, stands established in all continents of the world and is ever growing. Here in USA there were only a few chapters of the Jamaat in 1955 with a total budget of less than twenty one thousand dollars ($20,676) but now the budget exceeds $ 6 mil lion and has 45 chapters and 31 Mosques and mission houses. We cannot sit back on the good performance of financial sacrifices by the USA Jamaat. Without similar success in Tabligh and Tarbiyyat, the picture remains incom plete. Both these areas are of critical importance and our efforts so far have not pro duced the desired results in accordance with Hazur's expectations. Given the basic resistance in the Western countries, a very serious, innovative and sustained al I-out effort is needed. A fresh comprehensive Tabligh program is planned to attain Hazur's target of 100,000 Baits around the start of the new millenium. The trickle which started joining the movement now grows into a torrent when last year alone 3 million new members joined the worldwide Ahmadiyya Movement In Islam. Under inspiring, most dynamic and forward-thinking leadership of Hadhrat Khalifaful Masih IV ( ABA), our future promises to be even more explosive than our past. The fulfillmen t of Allah's prophecies will dazzle the world and leave it aghast. lnshaallah. Look how those, who made it their life-long mission to stop Jamaat's progress by whatever dubious and sacrilegious means and tactics, failed miserably to frustrate Allah's divine design. Not too long ago an all powerful dictator who claimed that he was determined to completely "eradicate the cancer of Ahmadiyyat" fell igno miniously from the skies, as his aircraft crashed like a pack of cards into dust unde1 the wrath of Allah as indeed as publicly predicted weeks in advance by Hadhrat Khalifatul Masih IV ( ABA). Indeed if you listen carefully, you can hear the foot steps of Islam's soldier ~ marching fearlessly towards their divinely destined goal. We stand in all humility, determined and dedicated, to spread the message of Islam with all our dedication and resources so that the divine mission of the Promised Messiah, Jf SJ, who claimed to be the humblest servant of the Holy Prophet and KhatamWNabiyeen, Hadhzrat Muhammad (SA), moves to its inevitable zenith in the ultilate triumph of Islam over all other faiths with mighty signs of Allah. (}J' Our limited and totally inadequate results in Tabligh underline that our efforts need to be broadened to match the phenomenal success achieved by Ahmadiyya Jamaat in other countries (particularly in Africa and Asia) where last year alone a Bai 'a1 target of 3 million was attained with Allah's Grace and Bounty. This should be th1. focus of our special attention and resolve. Let us then rededicate ourselves afresh with speed and vigor and ever strong moti vation to our divinely destined goal with humility in our hearts and prayers on ou 1· lips so that the next celebration, 50 years from today, take us closer to our ultima L.! goal of making Islam, and its true teachings in the service of humanity, the dom· nant faith and people's free choice all over the world. SOl\1~ JAi SA SAi \NA l SA bl ...... 1948 ...... Daylon. Ohio 2nc.J ...... 1949...... • • ...... Dayion. Ohm 5lh .•.•.•...... 1952 ...... • • • ...... • ...... Dayton. Ohio 81h . .•...... 1955 ...... • ...... SL Loul\. ~t1"oun IOlh . • ...... 1957 ...... •• . •...... Daywn. OhlO 111h ...... 1958 ...... New Yori... Ne11. Yori.. 17th . • ...... 1964 ...... • ...... ClevelanJ. OhlO 19th ...... 1966 ...... •...... Daywn. Ohio 22nd ...... 1969 ...... Daywn. Ohio 251h ...... 1972 ...... L.il..c Fore.,t. llinui' 26th ...... 1973 ...... L11..c Fure~t. llinois 28th ...... 1975 ...... Wi lberforce. Ohio 29th ...... 1976 ...... Mac.Jistm. New Jersey Hadltmr Klwlifatul Ma.,ih Ill (RT) visit 301h ...... 1977 ...... St. Loub, Missouri 31st ...... 1978 ...... Dayton. Ohio 32nc.J ...... 1979 ...... St. Louis. Missouri 1980 Haclhrat Khalifatul Masih Ill (RTJ visit (No Jalsa Salana) 33rJ ...... 1981 ...... •...... 4-H Center.Washington. DC .14th ...... 1982 ...... •.. • .....•...... Wayne. New Jersey ]5th ...... 1983 ...... •...... Lower Huran Metro Park. Bellc\llle. Michigan .16th ...... 1984 ...... Uni\·ersity of Wisconsin. Madison. Wi-,consin 37th ...... 1985 ...... •.....•...... University of Wi..,con,in, Madison. Wiscon\ln .1!1th ...... 19116 ...... • ...... Georgetowo University. Wa..,hmgton. IX' .Wth ...... 1987 ...... University of Maryland. Baltimore. Mar} lanJ Hudhrat Khalifatul Mas1h IV (ABA) visit 40lh ...... 1988 ...... University of Maryland. Ballimore. MarylanJ 4 1sl ...... 1989 ...... University of Maryland. Rallimore, Maryland Hadhrul Khalifatul Masih IV (ABA) visil 42nd ...... 1990 ...... hastern Michigan Universily, Ypsi lanti. Ml 43rJ ...... 1991 ...... Eastern Michigan University. Ypsi lanti. Ml Had/ma Khalifa1u l Masih IV (A/lA) visil 44th ...... 1992 ...... Yori.. Institute of Technology. Brookville. New Yori.. 45th ...... 1993 ...... Yori.. Institute of Technology. Bmol..ville. Ne11. Yori.. 46th ...... 1994 ...... Raitur Rahman. Silver Sprmg. MarylanJ Hadhral Khalifalul Ma\lh IV (ABAJ inaugurates Bai1ur Rahman Mosque 4 7th ...... I 995 ...... Battur Rahman Mosque, Silver Spring. Mary lanJ 481h . . .• ...... 1996 ...... • ...... Bailur Rahman Mosque. Siher Spnng, Maryland 491h ...... 1997 ...... Bailur Rahman Mosque. Silver Spring. Mar) land Hacllm11 Khahfa1ul Ma\lh IV (ABAJ visit 50th .•••...... •...... 1998...... Ba11ur Rahman. Silver Spring. Maf) land Hadlrra1 Khahfalul Ma"h IV (ARA J \isil !BRIEF REPO RTS ON SELECTED J ALSAS, EXTR \ CT ..: D FROl\I THE l\tL'SLll\1 S NRISE, TllE REVIE\\ OF RELI GIO"iS A"ID OTll ER PlJHLICATIONS, FOLLOW) JALSA SAi.ANA CONTRIBUTIONS 1980-81 ...... $97 1986-87 ...... $34,792 1987-88 ...... $24,044 1988-89 ...... $41,638 1989-90...... $71,186 1990-91 ...... •...... $68,299 1991-92 ...... $108,629 1~93 ...... $12,1157 1993-94 ...... $118,029 1994-95 ...... $138,396 1995-96 ...... $153,737 1996-97 ...... $173,511 1st HI() Ahmadiyyat Opens a New Chapter in America First Annual Convention of the U.S. Ahmadiyya Missions The year of I 9-l8 witnessed an important step forward in the history of the Ahmadiyya MO\ement in the United States. Foundations were laid for ~onsolidated efforts of various American Ahmadiyya missions to further the noble cause of Islam at the first annual Ahmadiyya Convention held at Dayton. Ohio, last September. Achievements at the Convention included a solid program of educational. social, propagational and financ ial activities. A central secretariat was establi:-.hed with the object of coordinating work of the different missions. Publication of literature received a particular atten tion and in this connection wider circulation of the MOSLEM SUNRISE was enthusiastically pledged. Notes of deep fidelity to Ahmadiyyat and greater drive for the propagation of Islam rang all through the deliberations. One could not help to infer that the sincer ity and zeal showing in the faces of the ardent Ahmadies was auguring a bles1;ed era of determined conquest of the wide world around to bring eternal peace and happiness to all the people through Tslam. If American Ahmadies act up to the ambitions to which they pledged their efforts at their first Convention, Allah, according to His promise, is sure to come to their help even as He did when the handful of Faithfuls made 1'.imilar pledge more than thirteen centuries ago with practically no means available to achieve their purpose: nevertheless in less than half a century they succeeded in conquering major part of the then known world of Islam. q _ A Message to the Ahmadiyya Muslims on the Second' Annual Convention of the Ame1ican Missions, September I 7-18, 1949 My dear friends and <.piritual children of the Uniled States of America, A.nalamo Alaik11111 wa Rah111a111/lalie wa Barakatolr11. I have been asked by our Missionary-In-Charge in the United States of America. Mr. Khalil Ahmad Nasir. to write a message for you to be read in your Second Convention. h is a great plea sure for me 10 do so. Twenty-nine yean. ago. I sent Mufti Mohammad Sadiq. an old companion of the Promio;ed Me:-.siah (AS). to introduce the Ahrnadiyya Movement in your country. He after reach ing the United Stales of America. chose Chicago as the centre of his mission. His was a lonely voice raised in suppot1 of the truth about a quarter of a century hack; and probably the people laughed when they heard him preach Islam and call them to Ahmadiyyat-thc true and divinely inspired interpretation of Islam. Probably they thought every prophet and his disciples were mad. But those who thought so were mad them!>t!lves. The sheep that Joes not recognize the shepherd is mad and destine~for destruction, for it becomes the prey of that olJ wolf- Satan: and loses all hope for sal vation.~ My dear friends and children! No country anJ no people arc ahsolutely without any seekers after 1ru1h. The voice which was tab.en a~ the babble of a mad man hcgan to attract some of those who were destined to he the pioneers and torch-hearers of truth in the United States of America. May be some of them arc still alive. may he none are. Even if all of them have left this world. their spirits might he hovering over your heads just now seeing in you the seed which is being broadcast by God in the wilderness. a" well a ... in 'ome well pre pared soil. to grow in time anJ become a heavy crop to give a ne\\ life to millions and million~ of people of your coun try. M)' friends and children' Ahmadiyyat is the message of God Almighty and not a scheme conceived hy any mortal being. So you <>hould look upon it as such and try to follow it literally and with great care. No good citi1,en breab the law of his country anJ so is the case of a true believer. He knows that the law of God is based upon infallible philoso phy and is for his good and betterment. So always try and strive to know more and more about 1... 1arn and AhmaLliyyat Ml tha1 your actions may be in complete accord with the Jaw chosen for you hy your Creator. God Almighty says in the Holy Qur'an: ..Today 1 havi: brought to perfection the spititual code according to which you havt: to live anJ thus I have filled for you the cup of my blessings to its very hrim." This verse shows that evi:ry order and injunction given hy the Holy Quran is for the spiritual uplift of man and not as an arbitrary order lo make the human heings feel their serfdom to God. God has nothing to gain if we follow 'The Law'. It is we who benefit frQm it anJ so the person who is luke warm in his obedience to the law. in letter and in spirit. is him ...elf the loser. Woe to him who finds the Joor of heaven opened for him but turns his face and goes astray. So. 1 advise you with all the love I hear for you. to avail yourselves of this great opportunity of being pioneers of the truth in your country and set a grand e)(ample of true obedience to GoJ and Hi\ religion for your contemporaries and for the coming generations. so much so that you become in the eyes of God. the deli verers of your country and your people: and bi:come like the first disciples of the prophets of old. Those di\ciples had no special claims on God; their only claim was that they \\ere the first to believe. first to make sacrifices and ftrst to live a life which was not in conformity with the lives of their countrymen. They hore and bore well all rehul..e; they took with a light heart all riJicule and stuck to the way which God chose for them and thus they became the chosen people of God. Old orders and govi:mmenls die out giving place to new ones but thest: disciples good name has been kept alive all along. Mighty nations have perished; strong governments have succumbt:d hut these people never died and are 'till living in the memories of millions of people who love them more than their own kith and kin. Dear friends and my spiritual children! Fortunately you have got the same opportunity. being the first bearers of truth in the United States of America. being disciples of the Llisciples of the Promised Messiah (A SJ-beloved of God, Hb only begotton son. in the same sen~e a~ the Christ was. God has no son but those who gain Hb presence and win His plea sure through -.tcadfast love and never wavering faith, become like sons to Him. Nay even more than that. A father may forsake his 'on in certain circumstances but God never forsakes Hb beloved ones. You have a further blessing that you found the time of the Promised Son anJ so you arc not mere disciples of the disciples of the Promised Mcs<.,iah (AS) hut are also like the first Llisciples themselves. So rise to the grand occasion and act according to your e)(alted position. Do nOI forget th<1t everybody is directly responsihle to his God. Therefore. do not copy anybody's weaknesses hut follow the word of God and His Prophets anLI try to live a life even more pious and cleaner than the lives of those who have come to teac.:h you. I also hope that my representatives there will set a good example for you and will not act in a way detrimental to the cause of Islam and misleading the seekers after truth. Woe to him who gets the opportunity of bring ing people 10 the fold of God but delivers them to His eternal ent:my-Satan. May Go From The Review of Religion~ (August 1952) AHMADIYYA MISSION NEWS By Ali Muhammad B.A., B.T. USA: A convention of the Ahmadiyya Jamaats in USA was held at Dayton in which delegates from all the Ahmadiyya Missions in America partici pated. It was a happy spectacle to see the East and the West meet togeth er in a brotherthly spirit and have one and the same object in view, name ly, delivering the message of Islam to Non-Muslims. Besides lectures on the beauties of Islam and the inculcation of a brotherly spirit among mem bers of the Ahmadiyya Movement. new schemes for the spread of Islam in the USA were formulated. Mr. Khalil Abmad Na ir, Missionary-in-Charge USA, was the leading spirit everywhere. The convention was brought to a successful close after two days of deliberations. 10th J s s ) \\ () (ll () From The Review of Religions (September 1957) USA: In a telegraphic message, Dr. Khalil Ahmad Nasir, M.A., Ph.D. reports that the Ahmadiyya Community in America has their Annual Conference, held at Dayton Ahmadiyya Mosque, on August 31, and September I and 2, 1957. Members from different places in USA attended and successfully worked out the programme of work for the next year and adopted the necessary budgets for the different branch Anjumans and Associations in USA. Two members of the community offered properties to build a permanent mission house there. A message from the Vaki/-ut Tabshir was warmly received and read out to the audience. The proceed ings terminated on September 2 amidst enthusiasm. 19th JALSA SALANA -1966- DAYTON, OHIO Our 19th Convention. held at our newly huill Mosque in Dayton, Ohio, on September 3 and 4. 1966 was, by the grace of Allah. a great \UCcCs\. Delegates from great distances like Boston. New York, Philadelphia, Washington. Youngstown, Piusburgh. Cleveland, Detroit. Madison, Milwaukee, Chicago, St. Louis. Tennessee. etc., attended. It was a cosmopolitan gathering of lovers of Allah belonging to differcnl races, nationalities. faith'- and countries. All guests were serveJ with hreak fa!>I anJ Jinncr daily. The service was done this year very satisfactorily hy the Lajnu lmmallah, Pittsburg. The members of the Dayton Mission and some from other Missions also extenJed their services. A great enthusiasm prevailed. There were spontaeous expressions of felicitation on every tounge and every face. The special feature of this year's Convention was the highly inspiring message received from our present Beloved Leader, Hadhrut Khalifatul Ma..,ih Ill (RT), which was read out at the opening of the Convention. Two other inspiring Mes">ages. one from the Acting Vakil-111-Tubshir and the other from the President. Central Khuddamul-Ahmadiyya. were received and read out to the audience. Instructive and enlightening speeches on spiritual, moral and social topics were delivered by '>Orne learned member... inc:Juding Br... Syed Abdur Rahman. Muhammad Sadiq. Ahmad Shaheed, Bashir Aft.al. Muhamma 22nd JALSA SALANA -1969- DAYTON, OHIO The Missionary-in-Charge. Maqbool A. Qurc-.hi, hoped and expecteJ that each and every mem her would allend the Convention. which was held on August 30 & 31. This bJe.,scd gathering wa'> the image of the Annual Gathering started by the Promi-.ed Messiah (AS), 78 years ago in 1891. Ar that time he himself directed all the mehers to hold it regularly in the future. Those who, in con formity with his instructions and desire, participated in it will certainly recieve blessings and reward from Al lah. The program consisted of 5 Sessions. including Speeches, Mission Repo1ts, Auxilliary Meetings anJ Panel Discussions. The main speakers were: Br. Maqhool A. Qureshi (Missionary in Charge). Muhammad Qasim (Dayton) Munir Ahmad (St. Louis). Syed Jawad Ali. Bru.hir Afzal (New York). Dr. Bashiruddin Usama (Cleveland), Ahmad Shaheed (Pittsburg), Ahul Kalam (Pittsburg). Yahya Abdullah (Baltimore). AbJul Karim (Chicago), Abid Hanif (Boston), Dr. Khalil A. Nasir (New York). Munir Hamid. (Philadelphia). Ahmad Wa.,im This convention was held on September 1st, 2nd and 3rd. The program consisted of speeches, Reports, Majlis-e-Shura, Auxilliary meetings and a visit to Zion, Illinois. The main speakers were Brs. Rashid Ahmad (Millwaukee), Abdur Rahim Zafar (Dayton), Muhammad Qasim (Dayton), Yusuf Ali (St. Louis), Dr. Qazi M. Barkatullah (Jackson, Miss), Abdur Raqib Wali (Boston), Dr. Rab Nawaz Malik (Madison, WI), Jamil-ur-Rahman (Pittsburg), Munawar A. Saeed (Washington, DC), Khalil A. Chaudhary (Toronto), Bashir Afzal (New York) and Abdul Mauuan Malik (Philadelphia). THE MUSLIM SUNRISE NEWS SUPPLEMENT FIRST AHMADIYY MAJLIS-E-SHURA USA For the first time in America, the Ahmadiyya Jamaal will hold a "Majlis-e Shura" or Advisory Counsel session, which will be part of the 1972 annual convention. In Pakistan, every year in April, Hadhrat Khalifatul Masih convenes a coun cil of the Ahmadiyya delegates for consultation on vital matters of the com munity. In this way the Ahmadies are given a chance to offer helpful sugges tions that may increase and improve the work of Jamaat. We will follow this example in America this year, and hold our first "Majlis-e-Shura." Out of this meeting we hope may come ideas for the solution of our most pressing prob lems. The specific projects to be dealt with by this Majlis-e-Shura will each be placed in the hands of a committee. The following Committees will be select ed: School Committee Mosque Building Committee Mosque Financial Committee Tabligh, Publication and Publicity Committee Wasiyyat Committee Qadian Service Committee The committee sessions will begin after the Juma prayers on Friday. 26th JALSA SALANA-1973- LAKE FORREST, ILLINOIS The Inaugural Address Delivered by Sahibzada Mirza MuzafTar Ahmad Grandson of the Promised Messiah (AS) It is indeed a great privilege and honor to be asked to inau gurate this Convention. All of us have looked forward to it for months. A great many of us have made special efforts, if not ab.o ~ome sacrifice, to get here and many of us have worked hard to prepare for it and make it a succel>&. It will be a great pity, therefore, if we do not derive full advantage of this great opportunity which comes to us only once a year and which claims so much of our effort and time. Now to derive full advantage from this convention we have to bear in mind: a) The supreme divine purpose for which the movement wa~ established. b) Within this broader purpose and framework the objectives which such conventions are designed to achieve. Taking the first objective, namely the divine design and pur pose for the establishment of the Ahma .! 28th J \IS\ S I 97'\ \ I R >R (I I \I ST\: l I RSTI ( l S ) I( The Convention wa.\ held on August 29. 30th & 31st. The program consisted of Speeches. Reports. Amir's Meeting. Auxiliary Meetings and Pri1.e Distrihution. The main speakers were Br. Ra\hid Ahmad (National Amir), Iman Muhammau Siddique Shahiu (Missionary in-Charge). and Brs. Mu1affar A. Zafr (Dayton), Muhammad Qasim (Dayton). Abiu Hanecf (Bo\ton). Mian Muhammad Ibrahim (Missionary), Ali Rataa (Keno~ha. WI), Munir M. Mian (Canaua). Yahya Sharif Abdullah (York). Dr. Rab Nawa1 Malik (Madison, WI). Dr. Khalil A. Nasir (New York), Ba~hir Aftal (New York). Muhammad Sadiq (New Jersey). Abdul Kabir Haq (St. Louis). Mubashcr Ahmad (Washington, DC) and Salim Nasir (New York). AGENDA FOR AMIR'S MEETING Friday, August 29th at 4:00 pm I. Report about Community Center 2. Preaching Program for the year 1975- 1976 3. OrganiLation of the Jama' h into Circles 4. Next year's convention 5. Any other matter with permission of the Chair ANNUAL CONVENTION MEETING AMERICAN LAJNA IMAILLAH BUSINESS MEETING Saturday, August 30th at 9:30 pm I. Opening: A. Holy Qur'an Recitation/Prayer B Lajna Pledge C. Opening Remarks/National President JI . Busine-.s Meeting A. Reports I. National Officers Reports (circular) 2. General Lajna Reports (circular) 3. Report on Summer Schools (Eastern. Central, Mi dwestern) B. New Lajna chapters and members' introduction C. Streamlining Lajna Ill. Elections & Aud Install ation of new National Officers GENERAL MEETING Sunday, August 31th at 9:00 am Welcome Address (Aisha Shaheed, Dayton), Islamic Lifestyle in America (Ayesha Shareef. York), Personal Impressions of Community in Rabwah & Qadian (Hameeda Chambers. Chicago). Nasirat Presentations ( Hameeda Ahmad. St. Louis), My Trip to Pakistan & India Suggested Future Protocal (Nas1ra RiLaa, Kenosha), Philosophy of Prayer in Islam (Atliba Abbas. Washington, DC). II 29th JALSA SALANA-1976- MADISON, NJ DREW UNIVERSITY Grandson Of the Promised One Terms Islam The Only Way By JOHN MUELLER MADISON- Some of the men were moved Lo tears praying wilh the solemn, grandfatherly figure. Most of the women delegates never got to see the man who looked sort of Like Burl rves. though they could hear his voice through a partition in the college gymnasium. r~ The man was Ha.aat ~asir Ahmad, grandson and third successor ofll1e Promisell One, and ~:..' j liiS message to 600 of his 10 million Ahmadi followers was that there is no hope for humanity out- side Islam. Dressed in flowing rohes. saris. or dashil-..is. with many of the ~omen veiled, the listening believers were delegates to the 29th Annual Convention of the North American Communities in the Ahmadiyya Movement over the weekend at Drew University. Ruhbing elbows with weekend jogger.;. tennis players and Shakespeare festival stagehands. they gathered Friday and Saturday to pray and exchange ideas about their Islamic evangelical sect in what was desc1ibed as "a true Islamic society in the midst of an overwhelming materialistic environment." "'The reality is that Christianity has failell to solve the problems of the world."" Ahmad said. His grandfather, the Promised Mahdi (Restorer of the Faith), promised he could solve all the problems of the world through hlam. he said. In a shon address Ahmad said Islam is the only remedy to America's problems. droned some melod ic incantations for peace. and led the delegutes in silent prayer which was punctuuted by sobs from memhers of the audience. To the uninitiated Judeo-Christian it wa~ uncleur whether the men were crying with joy on seeing their spirital leader in the flesh or regretting his imminent departure. Ahmad's grandfather, Hazral Miyza Ghulum Ahmad of Qadian, the Punjab. founded the evangelical sect in 1889, apparently trying to combine the thrust of major world religions unller a universal Islam. Besides the Promised Mahdi, he claimed to be the second advent of Christ. an incarnation of the Hindu Krishna and a buru:, or reincamution. of Muhammad. Missionary for the Midwest. Mian Muhammad Ibrahim. explained: .. What separates Ahmadiyyat from not only the Muslims hut from ull nther religions is a belief in ongoing revelation. [f God spoke yesterday. he certainly can speuk today. There is also the belief in the universality of prophets. ll brings us closer together. closer to world unity.'" Another key belief. he said, is Ahmad's reinterpretation of the Islamic precept of jihad or holy war. to mean persuasion by the pen rather than the sword. and a submission to temporal authority in tem poral mallers approximating the Christian ·•rendering unto Caesar." Ahmadiyym is disowned by orthodox Muslims because Ahmad claimed to be an inspired prophet, while in Islam Muhammad is supposed to have been the final prophet. Ahmad's liberali1.ation of Islam. especially its principles of social justice and egulitarianism. appealell oiiginally to the middlcclass Muslims. and while decidedly nonracist, is fairly close to the American Black Muslim social and politit·al outlook. Men and women entered the auditorium/gymnasium by separate doors and were blocked from each others' view by a partition, although squalling children and an occasional crash were audible from the other section. Speukers. inclulling Ahmad, stood on the men's side of the floor, unseen to the women. A women's exclusive session was scheduled "to deliberute on problems peculiur 10 the female soci ety." "A basic tenet of Ahmadiyya Islam is that each person ~hould Jcvelop his physical, moral, spriritu al and mental faculties to their fullest. ll1is of course necessitates equality of the sexes. said the prophet. who added that in the Qur'an men are commanlled to up hold the rights of women:· a press handout said. It pointed to a I 00 per cent literacy rate in Rabwah, Paki5tan. the sect's center. com pared to l per cent in the rest of the country. Those surveying the throng outside could hear a mixture of Pakistani, lnlliun. and a scattering of African and European languuges. One black woman dressed in a colorful. nowing outfit was asked if she could explain the separate but unequal faci lities and how she kit about them. She turned out to be from Teaneck. 'Tm not a delegate. I"m not even a Moslem. rm the mother of one of the speak er!>. and my son's friend made me this outfit because she said I had a Moslem boJy." ~he explained. "'They almost always separate the gentlemen from the ladies. Usually I don't notice it but it does take some getting used to," she said. The Daily Record Morris County. NJ 8 August 1976 HEARTIEST WELCOME Had/ma Ha.ti~ Mir7a Nasir Ahmad. Head of the Admadiyya Movement in hlam graces this soil by his holy presence and brings to the people of this country in their hiccntcnnial year an answer to their many problems through the message of Islam. the religion of universal peace and brotherhood. equality, non-violence and safety. Born in 1909. Hadhrat Mirta Nasir Ahmad. spiritual leader of over ten million strong Ahmadi Muslims, committed the entire text of the Holy Qur'an to memory in his childhood. He received his Bachelor's degree and the terminal degree of honors in Arabic from the Punjah University. He pursued his post graduate studies at the Balliol College at Oxford University from which he holds a Master\ degree. Before his election in 1965 as Caliph. the third successor of Hadlirat Ahmad, he served the Movement in several eminent positions of responsibility. including principalship of the central educational institution for over two decades. Since I 965 Ahmadiyya Movement has made spectacular strides under his dynamic leader ship. As the world leader of his community he has Lraveled extensively in various parts of Europe and Africa. In 1970 during his tour of West African Ahmadiyya Missions. he was received by the Head' of States of Nigeria. Liberia, Ghana. Sierra Leone and Gambia and was accorded befitting reception in the c.:ountries he visited. The current is his first visit to the United States of America and Canada. With immense pleasure and deep humility Jo we accord our heartiest wekome to our revered leader. Ahmadi brothers and sisters across America will thank Allah for giving them thi ~ great est chance of their life to see Hadlmlf Khalifatul Messiah III in person and to feel for them selves the love and w We wish Ha~oor a very pleasant stay in North America and reaffirm that we will be in the first front at his call for service to the cause of Islam. (Editorial. The Mu-;lim Sunrise - July 1976) HAIJHRAT KHA IFATl I l\lASIH II (llT VISIT 34th J ALSA SALANA -1 982 - WAYNE, f:W J:ERSEY 1980 \VILLIAM PETERSON CC>LLEGE II 35th JAI SA SAi \ A -1983- DE fROIT'I l\ll(llIGA L()\\ ER Hl RO~ tETRO PARK" BF I l \II I F. The 35th Jaba Salana USA was planned to be held at Oaldand University. Rochester. Michigan. on August 12. 13 and 14. 1983. Four days before the Jalsa. on August 8. a devoted worker of the Ahmadiyya Community. Dr. Mu1affar Ahmad. was shot and martyred at his home in Canton. Michigan. The same night, the home of another Ahmadi. Mr. Lm:eq Butt. was fire-bombed. In the early morning hours of the next day. Detroit Jama'at Mi~sion House was put to fire. Two culprits who had started the fire got entrapped and died in the burning structure. The Oalo..land University out of fear. did not allow the Jalsa Salana to be held at the campus. Hadhrar Khalifatul Masih IV (ABA). on hearing the ne\\ s im,tructed the US Jama'at not to cancel the Jasla which was then held in the Lower Huron Metropolitan Park. Belleville. Michigan. More than one thousand devoted Ahmadis allended the Jaba on August 12 and 13. Hadhmr Khalifatul Masih IV (AHA) sent a most moving and motivational message which was read out by /111a111 Awullah Kalecrn. Amir USA. "See the intellige11t insight: Muzaffar is alive even today! Nay, he got a life far greater them that he had! 0 Muzaffar! Peace be 011 to you! At your back are mil/inns of Muzaffar ready and anxious to move forward andfill-i11 your place. 0 you who quenched the flame of M11zaffar '.~ life, you have given him a cup of everlasting life to drink. To him life is granted, and to you 11othi11g but death!" (Khruha J11111a delivered by Had/mil Khalifatul Masih IV (ABA) on 12 August 1983) Ama1""" Ataullah Kaleem addressing 35th Jalsa Gathering II d IISCEI L \ E()l S J \I SA SCENES 1982 1985 1995 II HADHRAT KIIALIFATlL l\IASIH IV (ABA) \ ISIT 1987 Ground Breaking - Detroit Mosque Ground Breaking - Washington Mosque II 39th .JALSA SALANA -1987- BAI;fIMORE, MD U 1- VERSIT\' ()F l\IARYLANll II Alll\1AI>I\ YA ~1USLIM C():\IMUNIT~ l,I 1 EN~I AI JUBII FF THA KS(,.IVI G 23 l\1AR< II 1989 CI LF BRATI<> S II 4lst JALSA SAi A A - 1989 - BALTIMORF, MD UNIVF RSITY ()F MARYi AND 42nd/43rd .JALSA SALANA - 90/91 - DETROIT.. MI EASTERN MICHIGAN UNIVERSITY, YPSILANTI 1990 1991 199 1 LANGAR KHANA USA IN SERVICE OF THE PROl\flSEO MESSIAH'S GUESTS SINCE 1992 STARTED AT THE -l-lTH JALSA SALANA HELD IN NEW YORK II 46th JAI SA SAi A A - 1994 - Sii VER SPRI G, D BAIT R RAHlVIA l\rlOSQUE I At:GURATI() . II 46th JAi SA SALANA - 1994 - Sii VER SPRIN(;S, ~ID B \ITUR RAlll\tA MC>SQl E 47th JALSA SALANA - 1995 - SILVER SPRI GS, MD BAITt;R RAHMA l\itOSQLE ... II ------~~ 48th JAi S S I ~ A - 1996 - Sil VF R SPRI G, MD BAITLR RAH IA J\t10SQU• J \I S \ S I N \ 1997 - Sil :Vf R SPRI ( 1\10 I \I fl RR Hl\I N 1.0SQl I JAIS S\ \NA- WEST (()\ST l S \ 1891 marks the year of the es1ablishment of Jalsa Salana by Hadhrat Ahmad (AS). In lhe first gathering 75 people participated. Now, a century later, by the Grace of Allah. over 75 nations of the world organize Jalsa Salana attended by millions of people. In USA, we have been successfully organiLing these gatherings for the last 50 years. Due to the sheer size of the continental United States. many Ahmadi Muslims living in the West Coast were not always able to participate in our National Jalsa Salana. In order to address this situ ation. Maulana Ataullah Kaleem, then Amir, permitted Missionary Mir Mahmood Ahmad Nasir to organiLe Jaba Salana in the West Coast. In 1982. the very first convention of the West Coast took place in San Fra111.:i sco at a rental hall. lnlerestingly enough. the number of atten dees at this convention totaled 75. Prior to 1990. these Annnual Conventions used to be orga nized at rental Halls but since the establishment of Baitul Hamid Mosque. these gatherings an: held at the Mosque in Los Angeles in the month of December. The dates usually correspond to the dates of Qadian Jalsa Salana. In this regard it must be added that our beloved Imam made a gracious mention of our Jalsa Salana in one of his addresses to the audience of Jalsa Salana Qadian. Last year marked the 14th Annual Convention of the West Coast and was attended hy about 600 people. We have heen fortunate to have among us the prominent members of Ahmadiyya Jama'ats outside USA as well as many members of the National Majlis-e-Amla USA. A hrief list is presented below: Sahib:.ada MirLa Muzaffar Ahmad. (Amir, USA), Maulana Nasim Mehdi (Amir, Canada). Mr. Fazal Ahmad (Amir Bihar Province, India), Maulana Ata Ullah Kalim, Mir Mahmood Ahmad Nasir, Tariq Islam (Missionary Vancouver. Canada). Sharif Lubus (Amir, Indonesia), Maulana Sheikh Mubarak Ahmad, Nasir M. Malik (then National Tabligh Secretary USA). Late Dr. Murnffar Ahmad Zafar (Naib Amir. USA). Dr. Ehsanullah Zafar (Naib Amir II , USA). Dr. Nasim Rehmatullah (President Ahmadiyya Medical Association) and Munawar A. Saeed (National Secretary Ta'leem, USA). We have been fortunate to listen to or watch Hazoor 's addresses live from London or Qadain. In the very first Jalsa, we heard Ha::.oor 's Audio Message when Ha::.oor launched the blessed scheme of 5 New Mosques for USA. We have heen trying to follow the pattern of UK Jalsa Salana where our beloved Imam is personally present. In this regard, we invite many Non Ahmedi guests from the Government and people from important walks of life. Included in these dignitaries are Congressmen. State Assemblymen. Mayors, Writers of famous books and the President of Lithuania. One complete session in each Jalsa is dedicated for this purpose and has been successfully attended hy over 700 people. A display exhihition on Islam and other religious activities is an important feature of our annual gatherings. We strive to uphold the traditions of the annual gatherings held during the time of Hadhrut Ahmad (AS) by presenting the best hospitality and comfort to our guests. Many Ahmadi!. from different countries of the world schedule their overseas trips to include the attendance at our Jalsa, e.g., visitors from England, Arabian countries, South Africa and other European communities have participated in our Jalsa while visiting Los Angeles on vacation. Every Jalsa that is held anywhere in the world is a picture perfect proof of the Truth of the Promised Messiah (AS). Righteousness, Piety and Brotherhood for which this institution was established a century ago. Alhamdolillah. J \l S \ S I \ - 1998 - Sil \i FR SPRI {, II> SALIENT FEATURES **Hadhrat Khalifatul Masih JV (RA) graces the Jalsa with his presence** **Ha ::.oor leads Juma prayer, inaugurates the Jalsa. addres~ the Lajna and delivers the concluding address** **Members get the opportunity lo have personal "Mulaqaat ·· with Ha ::.oor** ** Ha::.oor holds several Majalis-e-Irfan** ** Hadhrat Khalifatul Masih IV (RA) meets with important American leaders** **Guest Speakers from the United Kingdom, Germany, Egypt, Ghana, Indonesia and Pakistan are invited** **Delegations from more than 30 countries are invited** **More than 7000 Ahmadi members and hundreds of their guest:-. :.mend** **A Special Souvenir to commemorate the 50th Jalsa is published** **An Exhibition covering Islamic topics and History of Ahmadiyyat** • AJl1ADIYYA ll>V9ENT IN ISLNI . °'rrrting: ~ ~ ~the dedicated effort• of your reapected organisation to promote Intern-Paith dialogue on topic• of •utual int•r••t and the aucc•••ful volunteer work which ha• been achieved for the benefit of tho•• in need ••• in honor of the occaaion of your 50th National Annual Convention1 and •• an expreaaion of our aincere beat wiahea and var. regard•, ~UIUI 16,.(... • +.'If-{_,"" t'- J"---1 1..... ~_... Ninety-eight STATE OF NEVADA di 6JJroclalltation ~ BYTHEG~VERNOR ~ -...... ,,., ...... ,,,,.. ~-·• ,,. ,.,., -.1u ,.,_ "' '""' ~tf.,.,.I .Nit-I ~rten t.... H • ,_, JflH; N ...... ,.. ~fne ..,.._._, .... ,.,_ ...., .. ,...,,,, ••Jf'f'\.lft, lfl'\f' _..,....,,._.,_,,,..-.fl.II..,.. •f _,,,.._.. f•t""' """ ,../ttr• •I It-• •• •( fWft Ut •U.n •I felrA .,...,... ,. ,,.,. r..attca •I'"',..,>~_. AHMADIYYA MOVEMENT IN ISLAM ...... Ow -.crl•t• ....,._,,,,. ~' le ..19tJ,.., (1111 ~ JU f'CUl"rfH """••crrH fr• ...... ""'(Si' '" JWJ - WHEREAS. tlw Ahmod1yya M...-o... ont in lolom io a rolip>ua orpnlJ.aC.On with branchea m 14S counlneo and a mombonhlp of ....,. i.n million -lo; and ...... ·-._.,_ A'--111"9 ...,. _,,,.. ,.,..,,,,.,. Ill n.prt"'\'f•IOf' •I._..,_. allitll•"· .,...,•• ., .. •I ,..,,. ..,,.. ,.,. ... flHCf), •ol•l41N• •• ,..,..,. rr-.... cn: ....,....,. ,,. ,...._,..rr.. .cr• WHEREAS, Hlabllohed In 1889, the Ahmadl11a Movement 111 Joi.am -k• to lncnut public ,,..,,. Ow-l•flr bntJllrwn, .,.. _..,C'$ifr•I r~t •ffw••• -. •iW •wueneu o( th• blamic (aith throuP, 10C1a) proj«tl, .dutadona) hlltilULe•, health MrvlCM, l1JaDUC 'or,,.,..,,,..,._, le MClety el I•.. ; publ>cauono and «>natruction of mooq ....: ud tho Ahmadi11a Jolam oncour.,,. dlalOfl>O and a WHEREAS. tht Scaia ofMi NOW. TKEREFORE, I, John Eniltr, Go.. mor or llw Statt of M><:hlpn. do htNby !Nut lluo Spoc1al Tribute 1n l'K'Of'Ullon ofAIDIADlYYA MO\'E.\IENT IN JSWI Given und•r my htrid on thoo 1... n17-111xth day of February in tlw .,.., of our Lord one thouMnd runt h.....t..d ood n1nt1y..,.t.1 and o!tlw Commonwealth In 1\itnus 'll'llttroj. , __.., __ ---%~ ...... _...... __,..,.., STATlt OP' NEW JERS&Y EXECUTIVE 0EPARTM&NT STATE~Clteo OFFICE Of' TME GOVERNOR Co..UMBUS •1296-0llO• "11£1t1::.1s. ,,,, ,,,_,,,,,.. ,,.,_,,,;,, '"-. rr1;,t.1a ....,,i:MiiHI...,. _,,,, FRO" THE OFFICE OF M111iorr ...,,,.,..." '"orltlwidt, •·ou /1J1111htl 111 1119 /11 (}9'Mlf, /11dit1: """ GO\ F.R"llOR GEORGE\'.\ OI'O\ ICH If II EllF.. IS, ,,,,, 1'1•mk ,.,.,~_,,, t1thocvn PftCtl, ,.,,,..,,«, '-· """,,,,., fl ..., Jl 'iE 26. 1998 .,,,.,,,,./ollown of tlifftfWll/llitlu "'"' rr}«t6 tllt ,_of/ottt Ill _,, tlf/-'tll ~,. tltt k9clt/rr1fJ o/dlt1 H,,,,.(/#r't111: """ SAL·nlU .\L \KIU\I! II 11£/tl:.4.'i, tlrr llr-.liYJW .\lowww11t hi l1lt11rc wtJJ lrtJltl Iii SM A1t11•tll ·''""""'11 I am plea \Oii, Tlfl.ltl.IOltl;. t, Cl/It/ST/\£ TOl>I> HHITJlt/\, Gow,.,,,,,o/tlit1 S-•/ I \\<'\JIJ hl..r 10 ackno• ledgc and recosniz.c the !'l.aional E'ecut1>·c Comminee. uid '"' Jrnt1, tlo llrrd}' -.111:111tt1 oth On behalf of all Ohioan•. c ~J.·~GOl'E/t\'01 .Ill Tiii: Gm It. ~~\ , ~(~ .~ TITL G SI.tit' ol l:h<1'k l~l.tnd .tnd rn.n1d.·n1:c 1i.111t.tl1om OITICE of the l~(n·ER.'-'OR 1:l1c c:f!JdrmttJr June, 1991 '!,ftlte 0.51..rtc '?/C~lttJJe ~11tmd TO: AHMADIVYA MOVEMENT IN ISLA.'f, ll'o C. Oaylc and I aR dchaJrtcod lo mend ow conpwlaiiona on the occaolon of Ille 50- IMlvCTMr)' ofJala Salane USA. Cahfomuo hu bccon1c. aJoNJ letkler b«AUIC -..e have suecttsfully lapped the abditiu of our vaned ethnic popul1111ons and reaped the wncli11 that Ahmildiyyil Movement in /§/.Jm rnul1 from a nch. dhcnc culture Your orpnil'lltion cmbod1c1 the spint of service and achtevcmcnt for "b1ch the Ahmadoyya Muslim community IS known, and "'c arc confident that )OU "'II conhnuc to Instill thts same 1p1n1 on future acnmiuona. We tn1• today's CC!lclntton vnll pnwi~ a wondctf\11 oppo If :J"1btlr.' -*°' "' ...,,. ,..,. ,"f.. .. , ,,,_1.te.1 ••• ... /,... 1,.:.t'...1. fl!tr l...n-.. 4"' / ltr ~., . Pl-accepl our beat wlaha for an enjoyable annlvcnary and cvcry ~ ~<"'./nu.,,./~· · b; ~"'70\0 "'111 1> i.,.,,~ • '11.., ., U.· . ~/HS f\rtun: IUCCUJ. ~~ Sincarcly, V L~tcoln Almond Governor PETE WILSON STAT~ OP' fU.lfllO l l Fr•nk Ke.Ung Ot't'IC."F. OF Tll t: Govt: R~ON G""'"°' Cl'UCAOO eo.c>• .J"" ••••• ~lar I. l!r.111 uRHTl'-GS f RO\I Qt;LAHO\IA' I tm rroud IO nlenJ 0..- I olTiml ...... _ • >"" ...... blll< ~ NJ!ional Alt Gc>-••rnor of ti.. S.. te of lllillo.. . II .. my plffollrf' IO wolcome \t1~ Allah bleu ~'OUl'COft\tnllOft. •vHyo,.. p1Ji.nd for tbt 50rb Sauooal Annual Co1u-.ntion of tbt Abmad1r1• Mow..-nt 111 lolam. to i.. btld on Ju.. 26-23. 1998. at "8'w·ur· .Rabman" IDOOQIM ID Silwr Spnac. ~larylaDCI . Tiu• e1>n•·•n11oa .. a 1111iq1>1 opponlllllll lor -n• o(yw to uchanp ,....,.. 1dH• and pro- ooaaJ and cultllRI •"'•~- h 1.1 1ntlv an bonor to ..a.cn1u Ahmad;•..-a ).fov•!Mnt 111 llllam for 111 cbari1abi. work and the m•n" «1111nbuuono tbty baYt made to.,.... ClOWltry. \\'o ba" been •onched b\ IM ltlam culllltt. traclJllOM and tDDtl. Tb.. .,....J l>ae alJowt JOU to cx.m~ tot"tMr to Ht - pit to -t tl>e challHCH ol tlw,...... a.lwad. wbll. ta.lnnf pnde 111 die ...... ,plit"-nu )"OU b.an 1lnad) 11<'1\ieyed l'Wa• en.nd my ,.._.i w.ica- to all o(,_.. _ ...... alld may rour ___ i.. a11-..lldm•- JEpm :.o.MC*wt:AL•" 0' Pl.. •S•LlllllUll • O"'Kl O• no1 Golft:••O• ...... 9'...... fTAD OF xp• _-.,__. II lf'rt - pwaC ,.,...,, to ntn4 •1 _,,..11111-101.. A•-IJTa " ...... bl ..... u 1" ptlMr r... , .. !'GI• ...... ~., ..... c...... •• ·•k·•,.. O..rrrnndo it.•-··-... Onb ...... '" .. , .. ptlltt !IOllt ...... ,.,_.. r.. ,_ c...... OS,lf ' I <__ ,,,.._,.....,... Speci11/ Recognition __ I ----=------·· ...... _ ___ ._. .. Ahmadiyya Movement in Islam :;:~.. - o. .,. O '<'...... • ...... _..._...... ,. , w..."'.. l.,.._r...,.-.... @ ._...... ,...... ,.._..,, .. _____,_ .,...... ,...... Hon. George E. Brown, Jr. S101e of ~w YOik .a:nd ConpnsH>nl.I Oi>tttcl Le91slonve Resolurion ...... _ ..~ __...... _~--·-··---- ...,...... l'IU. .. 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(ttt1,..IJlltf... l._,...,...., ...... __ ~...... lik-a"'- ltWINll1'f ...."°"° UUllllL.~.,.,- ...... PROCLA'1A TIO ' "'• AA-cht)'• Jlove.. nt ltl hlu will be C•l•Ontll\f t.t\Or ' ' " '"' ...,_,.to. •t O• 1au-11r--.h-..11 90941"• J1u1e J'•H. IUI; and nuu.a, TO AJIWAlllYYA MllUM C'OMMlllllTY ~= ~-:::rz: :=~~~~~· .~,,:1·::::;:n::,.'~,.·:: Ul\lhd ltUH ln ltUI •nd TJ\• Clt.W' or i...ionl l• ploHM h ror... t11H th• COHOl.ATULATIOHS • .. _ 11',,_. 9°"' ,,.,..__,, .tJ.llt W- l~AI ..,t•hMi,,.. •tr•ro of th• Allu•tyr• ,..,,,,... ,.t to pr... te ll'lt•r•hlt.ft ln\1'9l..,.M<1t ln our tl.e.1 0.-o(*-Cotr~.t ..Cqoll"-"llo.l-·---M ...... oo.u111ty1 .,., .,....,.., J , ,.,... • · CMst.A. 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"'''""'-- ... -·__1• .._,_.,,.,•HYCC-_I,,,_A_M_.,.,,_,,_,.,... __ """"" __ AHMADrYYA l\lllJSLil\1 COI\ill\'llJNrr\' SO IE CONTRIBUTIONS AND SERVICES To disseminate and implement teachings of Islam, the . I~ ,,,~ •t~, '"''1'• •l'l" ,,. ~f Ahmadiyya Mm.lum Community is engaged in a variety of 411 ;IJ,) • . ~~ ~~~~~~1; projects. The Community so far has: ,,, .,~,,,, Q~I~ • Participate • Publishe • Constructed 31 medical clinics and hospitals in underdeveloped countries. • Publi-.hed a very comprehensive Five Volume Commentary of the Holy Qur'an in English. including a biography of the Holy Prophet Muhammad (SA), exhaustive index an •Published a selection of Ahadith, the Sayings of the Holy Prophet Muhammad (SA) in 117 languages. • Instituted 373 schools in 8 countries in Africa. • Establi.,hed a Global Islamic Outreach Program through satellite communication system, relaying Friday Sermons ( Khutbar-e-Juma) in !.even languages, and featuring daily program for Asian, European, North American and Far Eastern Countries. • fatablishcd Worldwide Branches in 153 Countries l'HF.J AHI\ilAl)IYYA l\1USLliVI CC) lVll\llUNITY IN THE EYES OF OTHERS • "Ahmadiyyah is one of the most active messianic movement in modern Islam. It has sustained its activities for more than a century and has been unrivaled in its dedication to the propagation of the faith. Ahmadi mosques and missionary centers have been established not only in the Indian subcontinent but also in numerous cities of the western world, Africa and Asia, .... has pri marily engaged in defending Islam and depicting it as a liberal, humane, and progressive religion that has been systematically slandered by non-Muslims ...... One of the essential differences between them and other contemporary Muslim movements is that the Ahmadis consider the peaceful propagation of their version of Islam." (The Oxford Encyclopedia of the Modem Islamic World) • "The act1v1t1es of the community, apart from their zealous and efficient propaganda, include such internal matters as the establishing and running of schools and colleges (the former center Kadiyan, appears to have been the most literate town in India, with almost total feminine literacy). They produce great quantities of literature ... have their own exclusive mosques; and sustain a telling espirit de corps." (Tile Encyclopedia of Islam) References: Esposito, John L, The Oxford Encyclopedia of the Modem Islamic World, New York: Oxford University Press 1995. Gibbs, H.A.R .. J.H. Kramers, E. Levi-Provencal and I. Schacht et. al. The Encyclopedia of Islam, London. l\1F.SSAC .. ~ OF IS 1 IN \ If. RI( A Dl RINC. TllF Tl IF ()f TIIl PRC> llSF D IE SI \JI 1S> "I will give you a large party oflslam:· This re\ elation received by the Promised Messiah (AS) in English was first published in Braheen-e-Ahmadiyya, in 1880. The Promised Messiah (AS) interpreted this divinely received prophecy in the following words: "One group in that party will be from among the Muslims and the other will be from the other nations, that is, from the Hindus, or the Christians of Europe and America.'' The Message of Islam started to reach Americans through the blessed efforts of the Promised Messiah (AS) himself. He first conveyed the message to the American people through a pamphlet mailed to thousands of laymen and clergy in the year 1885. On 28 December 1892, at the occasion of the Second Jalsa Salana held in Qadian, con sultations were held made on how to spread the message of Islam in Europe and America and to promote the welfare of Muslims in the:-.e lands. It was decided that a magazine be published that should contain the essentials of hlamic faith presenting the beautiful face of hlam in a rational manner. The Review of Religion!'> was, therefore, initiated by the Promised Messiah (AS) and was mailed to American readers regularly. Dr. Mufti Mohammad Sadiq (RA) translated Promised Messiah\ announcement:-. and let ters into English an The most significant event that took place in the United States of America was the resounding victory of the Promisec.J Messiah (AS) in a prayer-dual (Mubahilah) over John Alexander Dowie, a renowned evangelist and a claimant to be the Elijah. Newspapers across America carried the news about the prayer-duel and finally proclaiming victory for the Promised Messiah (AS) when John Alexander Dowic died a miserable death in 1907 in the life of the Promiseu Messiah (AS). The Papers that printed the Dowie story were: The Literary Digest, The New York Mail and Express, The Herald of Rochester. The Herald of Boston, The Democratic of Rocheste1; The Albany Press, The Buffalo Time, The Record of Bosto11, The Pilot ofBoston, The Pathfinder of Washington, The Detroit English News, The Burling1011 Free Press, The Chicago Inter-Ocean. The Baltimore American. The Richmond News, The Houston Chronicle, The Telegraph, The Groonshire Ga~ette, The Argonaut of San Francisco, The Sunday Herald of Boston, The New York Commercial, The New York Advertiser and The Truth Seeker. II a FORETOLD PA.TIIETIC E.'ID OP DOWCE, A."llD SOW HE PREDICTS PLAGUE, FLOOD A.'fD EARTHQUAKE John Aleundar Dowie, born in Edinburgh 1847. founder and uncrowned kiDg of ZloD Ciiy, nch mdustrillli.t. bitter en.emy o( lalaJn announced ID LEAVES OF HKALINO (bis peper). "19lam and M11bemm •d•n1em mU8t be de9tmyed' (May 26 1900). Ha alao cla1med to be Elijab •nt by Jasua. Sept 1902 Huret Aqdu (tba Promi9ad Ma&nab. PHI» be Oil hlln) pol.qted out \be falae-bood of Dowta'• claim. that It wu Huret Aqclu hlm•lf whom Ood AlmljJhty had CO!lllllUl8lQDI u \be PromlMd Meellah, ch&Uengad Dowle \0 prayw duel may Ood dM!rOy the l'alM claimant wtthin tho life ume of the other. On 14 l'llb 1903 Oowte Hid ID bia paJ>« 'O Ood detltmy Llla!n' but ran away trom tbe cba111mge. 23 Aug 1903 tbe PromiMd M-.h and Mllbd.l 11gam challenged Dewie \0 prayer dual to pray \0 Ood to deetror tho falM cla.imaDt within tbe 11»-tuDa of the other. Many USA 'paper9 W.. Dunv!lla Oazane, lJterary I>tgwt, Burlington ftee Pre&1, Algooaut publk:Ued the debllJe Alt« tba Dowie before and after the grand prophecy of the Promised Messiah. peace be on him. Dowie is working up his audience( center). He also boasted of the then largest camera. II DI 1\IUSLil\I MlSS () ARIES IN USA I. fladhrat Dr. Mufti Muhammad Sadiq (RA) was a dedicated and very close companion of the Promised Messiah (AS). He had the honor of record ing many of his oral presentations, which have been included in the Malfoo:;ar. He had a charming personality. Blessed with a vast measure of knowledge, he was very well versed in Urdu, Arabic. Persian and Hebrew. Before coming to USA he spread the religion of Islam in England and set an unparalleled prop agation record. Hadhrar Dr. Mufti Mohammad Sadiq (RAJ arrived in Philadelphia on Sunday. 15 February 1920, on-board the Haverford. For religious reasons he was detained in the Ellis Island and was nm permitted to propagate Islam in this country. On hearing the news of his detention. Had/1t'(// Mirn Bashir-ud-din Mahmood Ahmad (RA), Khalifatul Massih II, delivered a prophetic speech. He said: "America, a country that claims to be the strongest nation, may have chal lenged many a nation ani.I may have even defeated them. But if it dares chal lenge the spiritual kingi.lom. it will find out that it can never defeat us because the Almighty Allah is on our side. We will propagate Islam in the countries surrounding America and after converting their people, we will send them into America. America will not be able to stop them. And we hope that one day America will resound with the proclamation: "There is none worthy of worship except Allah." On 20 May 1920. Hadhral Dr. Mufti Muhammad Sadiq (RA) was released by the order of the Secretary of the State. Even during his detention, he made many converts. He stayed in New York for some time and continued to preach Islam. Later, he moved to Chicago and established the first heai.lquarters of the Ahmadiyya Muslim Community, at 4448 Wahash Avenue, giving it the name "Al Masjid" - a part of that building served as the Ahmai.liyya Mission House. In propagating the mess:ige of Islam, Dr. Sadiq traveled extensively. His spiritually charming personality imme i.liately attracted the medi:i's attention. He used to be invited to i.leliver lectures in many towns and shared the pul pits of many churches in differenl parts of the country. His speaking assignments were announced in local news papers. The dignit:iries of local towns would arrive in large numbers to hear him. Some newspaper editorials commented very positively on his presentations on Islam as the solution of American social ills. Even Christian clergymen could not wilhhold their admiration of him. Converts came into the fold of Islam from far and wide. Dr. Mufti Muhammad Sadiq's particular style of propagation was to write hundreds of missionary epistles week ly to convey the message of Islam to renowned personalities throughout USA and also throughout the world on historic occasions. For example, he wrote to General Smuts, on successfully suppressing the Johannes burg rebel lion; Mr. Montague, sympathizing with him on his resignation; Viscount Peel, on his accepting the office of Secretaryship of State for India; King Fuad I of Egypt, on his inaugurating the New Regime; Sarwat Pasha. on making the fir~t cahinet of the Egyptian Kingdom; "Wacinyanpi" - Leader of Sioux Tribe; Professor Robert H. Goddard, the Scientist who intended to make a trip to the Moon aboard a rocket; Sir Arthur J. Balfour, on an earli.lom conrerred on him; Attorney Untermeyer, on his stopping grain gambling in the Corn Exchange; Mr. Shapurji Saklatwala, congratulating him on his heing elected a member of the British Parliament; Print:e of Wales of British Empire: Mr. Henry Forti of Detroit; President Harding; Mr. Edison, the Inventor: Lord Northcliff. on his visit to America; Ex-President Taft, on his appointment as the Supreme Court Judge; and Prini.:e Regent Alexander of Servia, on his escape from death when a bomb explodeJ in Belgrade. By July 1921, 646 letters had hcen received anti 2,800 had been dispatched. About 300 books and leaflets had been Jistributed. Another 1,000 missionary epistles with literature had been mailed to the main libraries all over USA. 500 letters. giving the Message or Islam with sample copies of the Moslem Sunrise, were sent to Masonic Lodges all over the country. His missionary efforts were crownci.I with great success. He published the names of over 400 persons in the earliest issues of the Mo~lem Sunrise: the total number of converts ran into thousands from New York to Florida to Wisconsin - during hb stay in USA. Hadhral Mufti Muhammad Sadiq (RA) held weekly meetings for the spiritual training of the new convert~ every Sunday morning at 11 o'clock in the Mi~sion House in Chicago. Three rooms were joined together for the pur pose, and some sat on the staircase, but still many had to stand for want of accommodation. After extensive missionary work in USA. he returned to the International Headquarters of the Ahmadiyya Community at Rahwah, Pakistan. He died on 13 February 1957. He was indeed a model missionary leader, a lov ing teacher, a prolific writer, an engrossing speaker and. above all, a Jistinguished ambassador of Islam. May the Most Gracious and the Most Mt:rciful Lord of Honor and Glory shower him with His infinite grace and mercy in Jannarul Firdo11s. II 2. Hatlltrat Mauhi M u hammad Din (RA) (I 92J-1926) followed Dr. Sa J. Suli l\lutiur Rahman Khan Bengali ( 1928-1948) provided a new momentum to the activities of the mi'>sion 4. Mir.ta Mona war Ahmad ( 1947-1948) was the first to breathe his last in the ser vice of hlam. in USA. On 15 Septt:mber 1948. he died in a Pittsburgh hospital. Sufi i\l.R.K. Bengali Had/mil Khalifatul Ma.,ih II (RA) personally led the prayers for the deceascu in Lahore and wrote a special article on his invaluable services anu dedication to Islam. 5. Dr. Kha lil Ahmad Nasir (1948-1959) serve Major A. Hamid Chowuhery Ghulam Yasin. Dr. Khalil A. Nasir. Sufi Mutiur Rahman Bengali and Mir7U Monawar Ahmau, II 6. C handry Ghulam Yitsccn (1947-1963) served as mi).sionary in USA for ahout 16 years. He took over a.., M1ss1onary in Charge in 1959 and continued to serve in that capacity until 1963. 7. :\tauh i A hdul Qadir ZaiAhum ( 19-49- 1958) administered the Ahmadiyya chapter' in the Pithburgh Circle for several years after the s;1d demi'e of Mir1a Monawar Ahmad. \minulluh Sutil, 8. Nurul llaq Am' ar ( 195-4- 1958) took over charge of the New York 1111..,sion on 18 May 1954 9. Syed Ja"ud Ali ( 1954- 1960; 1963-1971) took over as Secretary of the Ahamdiyya Muslim Community USA in 1954. Hi" missionary efforts con1111ued • for six and half years. He returned to Pakistan in July 1960. He came back. to USA in January 1963 and worked in Washington. DC, Chicago and St. Louis. He estab Sufi \ hdul (; hufoor li,hed the mi<,..,ion in Detroit in 1956. He fini,hed his tenure of duty on l..t March 1971. 10. Aminullah Khan Sam, ( 1960-1963) worked a~ a mi-.sionary in Wa-.hington. DC. New York and Chicago from 1960 to 1963. 11. Snfi Abdul G hafoor (1960-1963) -.erveu a-. missionary for 3 year-.. 12. Major Abdul Hamid (1963.... 1979) arrin:d in USA in 1963. He work.ed in Rahman Hcn1.tuli Dayton "' here he built the fir-.t 1110..,que of the Ahmadiyya Muslim Community in USA in the tradit1onal uesign with a minaret. He abo served in New York before returning to Headquarteri. in Rabwah, Pak.istan. 13. Abdur Rahman Bcn~uli ( 1963-1972) arrived in USA in 1963. and worked in Pittsburg h. He gave his life while serving the cau'>e of Ahmadiyya Musli m Community USA on 16 May 1972, in Dayton, Ohio. Sharif A. lluj"u 14. Qureshi Maqbool Ahmad ( 1%7-1971) was appointed as Missionary-in C harge in 1967. 15. Chaudr} Sharir Ahmad Baj\\ah (1972-1974) was appointed a-. M1s\1onary in-Charge in 1972. 16. Mian Muhammad Ibrahim (1973-1981) mainly served in Dayton and was instrumental in organizing the fir1.t delegaiion from USA to 1he International Jaha Salana. Miao Ibrahim 17. Muhammad Siddique Shahid Gurdaspuri (1973-1977) starled spiritual edu cation and training classes. He expanded the activities and strengthened the orga ni.tational structures of the local c hapters. Among the many missionary efforts that embelfo.hed his tenure. the highlight was the bles-.ed visit of Hadlirat Khalifatul Mai.ih Ill (RT) in 1976. It was the first visit of a Khali f'a to USA. 18. Masud Ahmad J chlami ( 1975-1978; 1980-1982) worked as a missionary in M. Siddique Slrnhld New York from 1975 lo 1978. He came hack to work as missionary in USA in November 1980 and remained till February 1982. 19. .l1a11/a11a Ataullah Kalccm (1977 •.•. 1983) published -l0.000 copies of the Holy Quran with English tran .. lation. Thou\ands of brochures and 18 books and booklets on Islam and Ahmadiyyat were printed and di\lributcd. The Synopsis of Religious Preaching (Parts I, II and Ill) were authored by him. He started the Urdu journal Al Noor and enlargeJ the Ahmadiyya Ga1ette to its present size. I lis propagalional interviews were brnadcasted live \lasud Jehlami on Manhattan and Ea't Saint Louis Cable TV and published in The Detroit News, Detroit Free Press, The Community Carrier. and the Canion Observer. He spoke to students at ..ev ernl colleges and univcr~itie ... The building for the mosque in Philadelphia wa' purchased in hi s time. Similarly, the land for the moM.JUC in Chicago was purchased. and the mosque in Tuscon. Ari1ona was inaugurated. Maulww Kaleem is currently serving as Missionary in Charge in Germany. A.U. Kulccm zo. Abdur Ra1>hid \'ah)'a (1977-1981; 1986-199~ ) worked in USA as a missionary from July 1977 to May 1981 He returned for a second tenure in June 1986 and served till 21 S)cd :'\-tir Mahmud Ahmad Nasir ( 1978-1982) served :l'> Missionary-in -Charge from No\emher 1978 for two years. He served in California for another year. He rep resented the Ahmad in a Jamaal at the United Nation' Conference of World Religion,. Hi' extending the Quranic invitation to come to the common denominator of worshippmg One God \\Us received with appreciation. At the conclusion of its his toric mectmg he was asked to lead the international representatives in collective prayer. He returned to Paki'1an in March 1982. Hudhrat Klhalifatul Mas1h Ill (RT) graced the soil of America onct: again in 1980 while Syed Mir Mahmud Ahmad Nasir was Missionary-in Charge. Syed l\lir \lahmud i\hmad Ntt\ir 22. MirLa l\luhammad Afzal )-.tarted hi!. missionary duty in 1981 and mainly )o.ervi:d in the Chicago area. 2.'. Ma11la11a Sh~tikh Mubarak Ahmad (1983-1990). Had/ma Khlaifatul Ma'>ih IV (ABA) visited USA for the tirst timt: in 1987 during the tenure of Maulana Shaikh Mubarak Ahmad. The Thant...sgiving Celt:brat1on of the I OOth Anniversary of the Ahmadiyya Mu,lim C'ommunit) wa\ held on 13 March 1989. The celebration-. '"ere hdd in a par excellence style in every Jama'at in USA. Hadhrat Khalifatul Ma,ih lV (ARA) graced this land once again with his historic visit on the occasion of the Annual Convention that year. A special souvenir commemorating the Ahmaddiyya Centennial Celebrations was published. For the liN time a large exhibition \His set up at the University of Baltimore. Maryland. the venue lluu/u11a ~hail.h of the annual convention that year. \luharuk \hmad The index of the 5-Volume Commentary of the Holy Qur'an was prepared by the Lajna lmaillah USA. The mosques in Clevelantl. New York , Los Angeles, Portland and Willingboro und the mission house in Zion were opene Syed Sham~had A. Nasir, l.H. Kausar, Chaudry Munir Ahmad, Ma11/a11a Shaikh Mubarak AhmaJ, M.A.R. Yahya, Zafar A. Sarwar and Mubasher Ahmad II URRE T AHMAlll MlJSLl:vt l\1ISSl()NARIES IN USA Mirza Mahmud Ahmad ha!> served the Ahmauiyya Mission in America since 1989 and is presently the Midwest - East Regional Missionary. Mubasher Ahmad came to USA in 1969 and devoted his life to serve the Jama· at in 1988. He started to serve as a translator of the Klwtbas of Hadhrat Khalifatul Masih IV (ABA) from Urdu into English. Presently he is serving as the Southeast Regional Missionary. Chaudhry Munir Ahmad came to USA in September 19g I and served as missionary ti ll May 1990 when he was transferred to Canada. He is currently serving as the Managing Director of the Ahmauiyya Earth Stacion. North America. Mukhtar Ahmad Checma arrived in USA in 1990 and is currently serving a' the South Midwest Regional Missionary. Azhar Hanif. an African-American traineu in Jami 'a Ahmadiyya, Rabwah. Pakistan is serving as mis sionary in USA since 1989. He is currently serving as the West Midwest Regional Missionary. Daud Hanif, the past Amir and Missionary-in-Charge of the Gambia Jama'at where he served for 30 years, arrived in USA in 1996. Presently, he is the Northeast Regional Missionary. lnamul Haq Kausar started serving as a mis-.ionary in USA from Apri l 198 1 for three years in his first term. He came back in Scptemher 1984 and is currently the Westcoast Regional Mis!>ionary. Syed Shamshad Ahmad Nasir has perfom1ed missionary service since 1987. He is currently the mis sionary at the headquarters. Zafar Ahmad Sar"'ar arrived in USA in Apri l 198-l and is presently the South Regional Missionary. Bilal A. Salaam, }a/al Nurudi11 and Syed Zai1111/ Abedi11 are serl'ing in Baltimore, Mihraukee and San Francisco respective/.): AllM\l)J) YA PUBLICATIONS I USA Publications Hadhrat Mufti Muhammad Sadiq (RA ) di stributed Ahmadiyya literature extensively in the early twenties. He started the quarterly magaLine. The Moslem Sunrise. Some of the earliest books/magaLines were: The Holy Quran Part I with Arabic text, English translation, exhaustive notes and commentary, Claims and Teachings of Ahmad, the Muslim Prophet of India, Mighty Signs of the Living God, and Ahmad, the World Reformer. Sufi Mutiur Rahman Bengalee authored two books, which became the earliest publications of the Ahmadiyya Community in USA; namely: The Tomb of Jesus and The Life of Muhammad. The famous American author. James A. Mitchner wrote an excellent article in The Reader's Di gest (June 1955) entitled: Islam - the Misunderstood Religion. It was later reprinted in the form of a booklet by the Community. The Ahmadiyya Gazette was launched by Dr. Khalil Ahmad Nasir to provide members with the news. activitie~ and new programs of the Movement. The year 1951 was noteworthy for the publications of the American edition of the outstanding exposition of Islam, ''Ahmadiyyat or the True Islam," written by Hadhrat Khalifatul Mas ih II (RA). The Philosophy of the Teachings of Islam, a masterpiece written by Hadhrat Ahmad (AS), the founder of the Ahmadiyya Muslim Community, was published in USA in 1953. The Holy Qur"an. with English translation by Maulvi Sher Ali. was reprinted in USA in 1979 under the auspices of Maulana Ataullah Kal eem. 20,000 copies were printed and distributed worldwide, followed by a reprinting in 1982. The index to "Revelation, Rationality Knowledge & Truth," the latest book written by Had/ma Khaliaftul Masih IV (ABA) was undertaken by the Ahmadiyya Community in USA. Several publicntions were also prepared by the auxiliary organizations. Several flyers and pamphlets have been extensively pub lished for free distribution. Marketing and Distribution Now more than ever ... •Commentary of the Holy Qur'an: Under the direc THE REFERENCE FOR ISLAM tions of Hadhrat Khlaiftul Masih IV (ABA), between Th• Only Compltt• Rtfmn« Qor'•n in Engli.\h • frH•l_ ,,A,.N,...... 1989 and 1993. Ahmadiyya Community USA suc .i...... ,.., ...... C'\,11QoJ. .ol · •.u r_._..,,,'"'-,,. ..-. cessfully placed 300 sets of the Five Volume -~._.~... .,~.c...... ,....,. •.,.... Commentary of the Holy Qur' an in the Reference .e;-...._. - ~~= :ri.Z'' Sections of University, College, Public and Private ,,..,.....,.. ~ libraries throughout the world, including libraries in countries such as Greenland, South Africa, Australia, Canada, UK Saudi Arabia, and Pakistan. In this ser vice to the Holy Qur'an, led by Dr. Col. Fazal Ahmad, the national book trade professionals, book distribu tors and book sellers were introduced to the Holy Qur'an through advertisement in their magazines such as the American Library Journal, Choice, the American Book Seller, New York Review of Books, Foreign Press Review, The Book Reader, Books in Print. the National Geographic and the Smithsonian. ~;~~!~:!..~:"-~"tz,_~ -...,._,.INd/•.w~1MI..~ The Holy Qur'an page in these trade journals was r"l\-'nlt••lti.l'-t.-.1 ...... ht....: ~.lth-Y..'!l'tdl ...... 1.. .. published, as a full page advertisement, for two con Dtoltrs /n1•1ttd - Sptrlal Dlfo Participation in Book Fairs and Book Stalls In 1990 the Ahmadiyya Community in USA was represented in the International Book Fairs in Japan, Moscow and in the United Kingdom. Since then Ahmadiyya publications have been displayed in the Annual National Book Fairs of the American Library Association, Society of Bible Literature, American Book Sellers Association and the American Academy of Religion. Its stalls have been annually set up at book fairs in New York. Philadelphia, Milwaukee, Saint Louis, Houston, Miami, Los Angeles. San Francisco and Dayton. • II SOME PROMINENT AHMADI MUSLIMS IN USA l\lr. Hasan F. L. ,\nderson wa' the first Ahmadi convert Juring the time of the Promi'>cd Me,,iah (AS). The Promised Me,siah gave him the Mu,lim name of Hasan. He wa' a 'cicntist and worked al the First Scientific Station in New York City. The Urdu translation of a letter from Mr. Hasan Ander,on was published in Al-Badr dated September 14. 1905. He a'kes about the health and welfare of the Promi,ed Me,siah (AS). note' the news about the earthquakes. note\ with plea sure that he bas been accepted into the Ahmadiyya Mu,lim Community and requests that a certificate be kindly issued, comment' favourably on the article which he read in the Review of Re ligion'> on Polygamy ant.I Veil. gives his views about the international <.kvelopment relating to Russia and Japan, and conveys his prayer' and salam to all Ahmadi,_ About Mr. Anderson. The Promised Messiah (AS) wrote in Brahin Ahmadiyya Vol. V: "Very recently a very respectell English speaking gentleman who live~ in USA. who'e previous name is F. L Anderson ... and who has been named H<11,an after his acceptance of Islam. has joined our Community .... He read' my hooks which have been tran,lated into English. He can read the Holy Quran and he can also write in Arabic. Similarly there are several others who admire our Community and express their agreement." Or. George Baker of Philadelphia wrote about the Promised Mcl>siah (AS): ··1 totally agree with the views of your Imam. He hai:. presented blam correctly to the world. just as the Prophet Muhammad (SA) had done." l\lr. Alexander Russell Webb from Hucl,on City. New York. accepted !~lam through correspondence with the Prombcd Mesl>iah (AS). He was the editor of a daily paper in St. Louis. Mi-;souri. Later. he wal> the US Arnbasl>adur to the Philippine~. In his correspondence to the Promised Mc~l>iah (AS). he expressed his dissatisfaction with Christianity and affirmed the truth of the Holy Prophet Muhammad (SA). Mr. Webb visited Indio. but did not visit the Promised Me,siah (AS). nor did he join the Ahmauiyya Community. But he remained an admirer of the Prom bed Mcsi,iah (AS) and wrote a condolence letter upon the Promised Mes\iah's Jemise 'aying that:"] am i,urc that he will enjoy the companionship of saints and prophets in heaven." Or. MuzatTar Ahmad laid down hi~ life for Ahmadiyyat when an assailant, who had posed Hr. Muha mmad Sadiq wal> a very sincere, humble and a devoted servant of Ahmadiyyat. H i~ hallmark was his true love of Khilafot-e-Ahmadiyya. The mark of prolonged prostration before the Almighty Allah wa, distinctly visihle on his forehead. 1le knew many verse' of the Holy Quran by heart. He would not miss any opportunity to provide loving advice to the member~ of the Community - whatever the occasion - quoting profusely from the Holy Quran. The themcl> of hi~ favorite ver~cs of the Holy Quran were taqll'a (the fear of the Almighty Allab) and sacrifice in Hi' cause. Hi' exhortations would reorient any discussion' towards thel>c two themes. His pleading tones would charm his listeners and leave them spell hound as long a' he spoke. Born in Newark. New Jersey. on 29th October. 1912. Br. Sadiq accepted blam after reading the book~ written by Misl> ionary Suti Mutiur Rahman Bengali during the time of Missionary Ghulam Ya~in. He had the opportunity of visiting both Rabwah aml Qadian. "'His voice is mul>ic to my ears." said Hadhrat Khalifatul Ma~i h IV(ABA). Br. Sadiq died in Newark on the 18 August 1996. Over 350 members allended hisjwraw (funeral) prayers led by Missionary Daud Hanif. The hurial took place in the Ahmadiyya section of the Laurel Grove Cemetery in Totowa. New Jersey. Br. Bashir Afzal wa~ another one of the early converts. He wa~ a Baptist minister before he became an Ahmadi Mm.lim. His love for Prophet Jesus Christ (AS) was replaced by an even greater love for the Promil>ed Messiah (AS). when he learnt that the Second Corning had been fulfilled in the blessed person of the Promised Me,siah. This love took him to Qadian and Rat-.wah in the fifties. Rr. Aftal devoted the rest of his life in humhle service to Ahmadiyyat. As the presi dent of the Ahmadiyya Community in New York for thirty years. Br. Aflal worked very hard in the area~ of spiritual training of the new rnnverts. He also served as the li1 'eem of the North Jersey circle of Majlis Ansarullah . He pitsscd away on the 18 July 1993. at the age of ninety. Dr. M uzaft'ar Ahmad Zafr, Naib Ameer. wa~ a dedicated worker and self effacing leader and a first class orator. Dr. Mu1.affar Ahmad Zafr wa~ a noble leader. a tireless worker and a devoted servant of the Khilafat-e-Ahmadiyya. His robul>t personality and eloquent speech kept his audiences mesmeri:tell with his effulgent words inspiring them to work with greater teal for spreading blam and Ahmadiyyat in America while at the same time he would exhort them to loo~ inwardly with a critical eye. He had a sharp eye for security and was keenly aware of the problems uf Americans. Of him the Hadhrat Khalifatul Masih (ABA) said: "He was so active that whenever I visited over there (United states) he was always in charge of my security, a~ far al> human efforts were concerned. It appeared he never slept in those days. Whenever I came out he was always there." He served the Ahamdiyya Community USA in magnificent capacities. He was the National President and then the Naib Ameer for a long time. 'ome times acting as the Amir. He had the good fortune of leading the American delegation to Rabwah and Qadian frequently. Internationally. he represented North America in the l111ernational Bai'at and assisted Hcullirat Khalifatul Ma'.ih IV during the International Majib -e-Shura. He died on Friday. 15 November 1996 in his home town of Dayton. Ohio. D THE Moslem Sunrise t f • DI ,M .. ,...... ,._ I ltt<.tU /\NU J"AMK U .\. No QCTOIU.R. 11111 Vvl. Dr. Mohammad SaJiq '51U/.\ \ \l\l>I I 11< Fir-I \111< 11<·:111 \11111 uh \ • I t 1 f it .... rcirrt ('OH•I, d \\it h 111< 111 1h.- ~Tar l'-11 rd J• 1111 rl ""r 1i1l1 111 1 111 rlu Fir I Srwn1ilil" !'t.1lio11 '\n, \ 11rk I it\ Mirta AhmaJ F.L. Anderson Dr. Bashir Aft.al Dr. Mu1.affar Ahmad Dr. Mu1.affar Shaheed I ANI>MARKS ~ TllE lllST<>RY ()F AHl\IAI>IYYA l\ll SLil\il f'()l\1:vtl ~ITY l SA 1920 The first Missionary Hadhrat Mufti Muhammad Sadiq (RA), a devoted companion of the Promised Messiah (AS), arrives at the port of Philadelphia on February 15. 1921 The first Ahmadiyya Mosque in America is established by Hadhrat Mufti Muhammad Sadiq (RA) in Chicago and the Moslem Sunrise (a quarterly magazine) is started. 1923 The second mi ssionary, Hadhrat Maul vi Muhammad Din (RA), arrives in USA. Abdur Rahman Omar Bashir R.R. Torre' William M. Patton Ralph Totten Shaikh Abdullah Din Muhammad Sheikh Ahmad Dtn Abdullah Omar J.L. Mott P. Nathaniel John~on Dent.el Carr Early Convert<,. Had/mu Muf1i Muhammad Sadiq (RAJ ruhli,hed 1heir rhotograph., in the Moslem Sunrise daled October 1921. July 1922 and January 1923. 1933 Hmlhrat Chaudhery Muhammad Zafrullah Khan (RA) visits USA to address the "World Faiths Congress" in Chicago. 19-'8 The first Annual Convention is held in Dayton on September 5. The first election of the National Executives is held during the Annual Convention. 19-'9 The first message of Hadhrat Khalifatul Masih II, Mirza Bashiruddin Mahmud Ahmad (RA), is received at the Second Annual Convention. 1950 The first mosque in the nation's capital is established at 2141 Leroy Place, Washington. DC. Hadlzrat Khalifatul Masih ll (RA) names it the American Faz) Mosque. It serves as the Headquarters of the Ahmadiyya Muslim Community USA from 1950 to 1994. 195" Islam is represented by Dr. Khalil A. Nasir in the World Conference on Religions (Shimizu City, Japan) and in the World Council of Churches (Evanston, Illinois.) 1959 Islam is represented by Hadhrat Chaudhry Muhammad Zafrullah Khan (RA) and Dr. Khalil A. Nasir at the World Religions Conference in Dallas, TX and is attended by world-known leaders such as the Prince of the Netherlands and His Excellency U Nu, the Prime Minister of Burma. 1961 The Vakil-ut-Tabshir, Salzibzada Mirza Mubarik Ahmad, tours USA. 1965 The first mosque in a traditional Islamic design is completed in Dayton, Ohio. Br. Wali and Sr. Lateefa Kareem donate a plot; missionary Major Abdul Hamid super vizes the construction of the mosque. 1972 The first Majfis-e-Shura is held during the Annual Convention, in September, in Lake Forest, Illinois. 1973 The first delegation of 16 members visits Rabwah and Qadian under the leadership of Dr. Muzaffar Ahmad Zafr. 1976 The first visit of Hadhrar Khalifatul Masih UJ, Mirza Nasir Ahmad (RT), to USA (July 25 to August 15). 1978 The first visit of Had/mil Sahih~ada Mir La Tahir Ahmad (later Khalifatul Masih IV) to USA. 1979 Hadhrat Maul vi Ata Muhammad (RA), a companion of the Promised Messiah (AS) visits lJSA. 1980 Hadlzrat Khalifatul Masih III, Mirza Nasi r Ahmad (RT), revisits USA. 1982 •A delegation of USA Ahmadi Muslims, led by Mau/ana Ataullah Kaleem, partici pates in the inauguration of the Basharat Mosque in Spain. • Hadhrat Khalifatul Masih IV (ABA) launches a program for accelerated construc tion of mosques/mission houses in USA. 1984 Regular distribution of the audio cassettes of the Friday Sermons of Hadlzrat Khalifatul Masih IV (ABA) starts. 1987 The first visit of Hadhrat Khalifatul Masih IV, Mirza Tahir Ahmad (ABA), including exten sive tour of local chapters. He also presides over the Majlis-e-Slzura in New York. 1988 •A team of Lajna lmaillah prepares the index for the Five Volume Commentary of the Holy Qur'an. • Under the chairmanship of Vakil-ul-Ala, Choudhery Hameedullah, five members of the USA Jama'at comprise the Ahmadiyya Mu slim Centennary Thanksgiving International Committee, Sahih:,ada Mirza Muzaffar Ahmad being it's Chairman IT . • A delegation of Ahmadi doctors visits Africa. 1989 •The Ahmadiyya Centennial Jubilee is celebrated with great fervor on March 23 . • Hadhrat Khalifatul Masih IV (ABA) visits and presides over the Annual Convention. • Ahmadiyya Exhibition of the US Jama' at is established. 1992 •The US Jama'at supports the International Exhibition in Spain. • Langar Khana is introduced at the Annual Convention held in New York. 1993 •Three hundred Ahmadi Muslims represent USA at the worldwide celebration of the IOOth Jalsa Salana at Qadian, India. under the leadership of Dr. Colonel Fazal Ahmad of Philadelphia. 1993 cont'd • Regular satellite transmission of the Klrntbat-e-Jwna of Hadhrat Khalifatul Masih IV (ABAJ to North America is started. 1994 • The current Headquarters of the USA Jama' at, at Masjid Baitur Rahman, is inaugurated in October by Hadhrat Khalifatul Masih IV ( ABA), with about 6.000 guests participating. • The Earth Station, a joint effort of the Ahmadiyya Muslim Communities of Canada and USA, is inaugurated. • The centennial celebrations of the fulfillment of the great prophecy regarding the Eclipse of the Sun and the Moon at the time of Imam Mahdi is observed throughout USA. 1995 Al-Islam web site on the Internet is established: and one year later, it starts transmitting the Klwtbat-e-Jwna of Hadhrat Khalifatul Masih IV (ABA). · 1996 • MTA Production Studio is inaugurated in the American Fazl Mosque, in Washington, DC (relocated, in 1998, closer to the Baitur Rahman Mosque). • First position is attained by the USA Jama'at in Waqf-e-Jadid. • Second position is attained by the USA Jama'at in Tahrik-e-Jadid. 1997 • Public meetings, commemorating the centenary publication of 'The Philosophy of the Teachings of Islam,' a divinely inspired writing of the Promised Messiah (AS), are held in USA throughout the year. • First position is maintained by the USA Jama'at in Waqf-e-Jadid. • First position is attained by the USA Jama' at in Tahrik-e-Jadid. 1998 • Hadhrat Khalifatul Masih TV (ABA) v1sllmg USA to grace the 50th Annual Convention of USA, inaugurate mosque in New Jersey and San Jose, California and for the ground breaking of a mosque/mission house in Houston, Texas. • index to Hadhrat Khalifatul Masih TV's (ABA) book "Revelation Rationality, Knowledge & Truth" is prepared by the US Jama' at. • A Mobile Tabligh Exhibition, equipped with satellite dish and other necessary material is prepared by the Philadelphia Jama'at. DA'WAT ILALLAH IN USA The Promised Messiah (AS) introduced Islam into the United States dur ing his life. He also initiated a monthly magazine in English, The Review of Religions, which was sent to the Western countries starting 190 l. The Promised Messiah (AS) addressed many religious scholars and leaders and invited them to Islam. His challenge to Dr. Alexander Dowie received a great deal of publicity in the American press. The pathetic end of Dowie was covered very extensively. / JC In I 920, Hadhrat Mufti Mub·ammad Sadiq (RA) was sent to USA by Hadhrat Khalifatul Masih@(RA). He converted hundreds of Americans into Islam, and started a quarterly magazine, The Moslem Sunrise. Since then scores of Ahmadi missionaries and hundreds of Ahmadis in their per sonal capacity, have conveyed the message of Islam in USA over the last seven decades. Some highlights of the activities in the recent years are given below: • Religious Founders' Day celebrations are held annually in all major communities, including Chicago, Dayton, Houston, Los Angeles, Maryland, New York, North Jersey, Philadelphia, Portland, San Francisco, San Jose, Willingboro, and York. In the tradition of these cel ebrations all over the world, eminent scholars of different faiths are invit ed to speak on these occasions. • Centennial anniversary of the Philosophy of the Teachings of Islam was celebrated with meetings in several chapters ranging from group discus sions to general public meetings. Public meetings were held in Chicago, Houston, Los Angeles, Maryland, New York, Philadelphia, Portland, and York. The Philosophy of the Teachings of l slam was presented as a gift to over 2000 Professors, and national and international dignitaries. • Islamic books are placed in public libraries by Khuddam and Lajna lmaillah, including the Holy Quran, Life of Muhammad (SA), Philosophy of the Teachings of Islam, and Jesus in India. Various chapters regularly participate in local, regional, and internation al fairs and exhibitions in which volunteers distribute pamphlets and answer questions of the visitors. • Holy Qur' an has been presented to President Gerald Ford, Jimmy Carter, and the President of Lithuania. • USA Jama'at continued to support the Ahmadiyya Muslim Community in Jamaica, which was uriginaly established through the efforts of Ahmadi Mu o.; lims from USA. Individual efforts during the year led to Bai 'ats in Dominican Republic and P.iru. ~ • Te levision and Internet are becoming important in our Tabligh efforts. More than a dozen communities have local TV programs which show the addresses and Question and Answer sessions by Ha-.:,oor. Local communi ties also host local radio talk programs on occasion. Internet is becoming popular especially with the young students. Two bai'ats have so far taken place through Internet, one in Milwaukee and the other, during the current year, in Utah. In 1983, Hadhrat Kha lifatul Masih IV (ABA) launc hed a new divinely inspired scheme to call people towards A ll ah in the following words: ""I warn Ahmadis all over the world that even if they were not calling people towards Allah previously, they will have to do so in future. To bring about the victory of Islam all over the world is a tremendous assignment. It requires many sacrifices which are being demanded from the Ahmadiyya Community. From today, let every Ahmadi decide that while he will continue to earn a living, wherever he is, he will give precedence to Da'wat /Lal/alt (calling people towards Allah). If you do that, you will soon witness that the spiritual revolution which had been eluding us will no longer be moving away from us." Thousands of Ahmadis around the globe have responded to the call of Ha-;,oor. Internationally, the results have been phenomenal, even miracu lous. There were more than 200,000 bai 'a ts in I 993, over 400,000 in 1994, over 800,000 in 1995, over l .6 million in 1996, and over 3 millions in 1997. Such amazing progress has not yet been seen in USA. Only a small number of Ahmadis are actively participating in propagation. Our bai 'ats are only in hundreds. This is far lower than the expectation of Hazoor, who would like to see 100,000 Ahmad is in USA by the turn of the century or soon thereafter. The nominal acti vities in the area of Tabligh, which are li sted above and which are basically followed with some varia tion every year, still have to produce the desired results. The divine message of the Promised Messiah (AS) remains dominant and carries its own guarantee of success as indeed was proved by 3 million bai'ats in one year in other parts of the world. If, here in USA, the bai'ats so far are only in I OO's, it must be attributed to insufficient efforts or approach in an overly materialistic world largely indifferent to religion. This resistance has to be brought down through a sustained all-out effort involving all Jama'at members. II MTA IN NORTH AMERICA Muslim Televi~ion Ahadiyya, International (MTA) is the first worldwide Muslim Satellite BroaJcasting Channel. It is being run by a volunteer staff. MTA is another very powerful sign of the fulfillment of the Divine Promise of Almighty Allah to the Promised Messiah (AS): "I Shall Cause Thy Message to reach the Corners of the Earth." In 199-l, Hadhrat Khalifatul Messiah IV (ABA) established the MTA a~ a satellite Television Station to spread the Unity of God throughout the world with objectives to unite the mankind and to educate and train the AhmaJi Muslims who are increasing in numbers every year. Currently, the MTA can be watched in all five continents with over 150 countries utilizing this divine blessing of Almighty Allah. MTA is broadcast in several languages and some of its programs are simul taneously broadcast in 7 different languages. At the direction of Hadhrat Khalifatul Messiah TV (ABA). the Canadian Jama·at took the initiative, with mutual efforts of the USA Jama 'at, to provide access of MTA to Norlh America. The Earth Station, locat ed in the vicinity of the Baitur Rahman Mosque, Silver Spring, Maryland, provides the link through three satellites, to the North, Central and South American viewers. This signal is received directly in the home of Americans and Canadians using a custom Jigital receiver system 24 hour a day. Hadhrat Khalifatul Messiah IV (ABA) inaugurated this Ea11h Station in October 1994 at the inauguration of the Baitur Rahman Mosque. In addition to the Dish & Receiver System, people in America and throughout the world can listen to or watch MTA programs on the internet. How Do You Bring 16 Million Followers Together? CREATE A WORLDWIDE RELIGIOUS TV NETWORKVIA INTELSAT f.:arf\ 111 1~1.)6,Src>d Nc.L~"t~rNmu:d dt.Jin11an of MuslunTc•k•\l!-.ion Alunacth"d ( ~·ffA }. fJn"ti a daunti11q ta\k ·nw. 1i~work v..~ 1l llllXt"<.t l>.cLg of linlt"Sht.tn."(l "w.1lt•llite t'dlk'\l.'lt\' anlt lull-time.• ~'f\lct."') on clRlnR sah:llltt"S It had to ~ u11Rradt.-d qui( klr to mt'C'I Uw J1\('rt·<-1s111~ nt~•d., of d rup1c11\ Mrm... inN Hmur> ul folloWt•r.t an~umt tht• "~nrtd "( >ur !f.lrlll l!t to buikJ ;uld ~upport tht• l(lul~I Mu~J1111 .\hrnad1wa <.r>l1llllUU1t) thmugh \!TA At tht· turn.', \\t' hJ.d to fmd iJ bt•Ut•r \\a\' for our ... upn..·mt• h.·tt(1l'r to n•.1l·h hllf h) follrt\o\t'" .tmunrl tl11• Yi.ortd to hriu~ tlwm tn!(<•lll<'r a~ uru· gruup,,md to lostn d !'.t'll~ of l·u11111111111t) and l>t•l1n1gi11g· SJ1d Ahmt' For nwrr infof'malion on Mu111im n~ C'ontuct SJ't'd Nusc~t!r Ahml'd. Chafrman. Mu•llm Trlrvl•lun. Tel: +14 181 870 0922, Fax: +44 181 870 IHJ84. Intelsat Video Vision - April. 1998 II AHMADI\ .YAT ON INT I~ RNET Ahmadiyya Muslim Community has reached practically every comer of the earth. Initially the missionaries and devotees of the Promised Messiah (AS) physically carried the message of Ahmadiyyat to all these countries. Today Allah has provided new technologies to spread the mes sage of Ahmadiyyat. the true [slam. Muslim Television Ahmadiyya (MTA) was established as a satellite television station in 1994. Jamaal Ahmadiyya USA started its Internet Services in April 1995. In 1995. Brs. Athar Malik, Mureed Nazir and Latif Nazir started the Internet Services with one station at the Baitur Rahman Mosque in Silver Spring, Maryland. Initially the services were limit ed to the World Wide Web. Due to extreme popularity among young and enthusiastic Jamaat memhers, and its potential to reach an entirely different and influential audience, these services were expanded to include a wide variety in a short period of I year, upgrading from a slow 28.8 Kbps connection to a very fast 1.54 Mbps connection. The site was named Al-Islam. USA Jamaal also introduced Audio Services using Real Audio. Friday Sermon by Hadhrat Khalifatul Masih IV (ABA) of May 10th, 1996 was broadcasted live from England via MTA Satellite Services over Internet for the first time. This service, in particular, was very instrumental in reaching far areas such as Japan, Australia, Fiji, New Zealand and South American countries, where MTA Satellite services could not be reached. In February 1997, MTA Video over Internet was started. Today CyberMTA reaches about 1500 listeners weekly from around the globe. CyberMTA not only broadcasts MTA live 24 hours a day but has archived all the Friday Sermons since May 10th. 1996. It has also provided live coverage of Annual Conventions in England, Germany, Canada, USA, and Qadian since May I 0th, 1996. Al-Islam site provides a comprehensive library for the study of Islam. It has is a translation of the entire Holy Quran, by Maulvi Sher Ali, with a search engine to locate verses of the Holy Qur'an on any subject. It also includes a wide variety of Ahmadiyya literature on different topics. Al-Islam site is also the home of AMNL Ahmadiyya Muslim Network International. This is an organization for Ahmadi Muslims worldwide who arc connected together by electronic mail. Currently there are close to 200 members of this organization around the globe. Al-Islam site is very active in responding to the objections commonly raised against Ahmadiyyat on the Internet. The work is very closely coordinated with the Ahmadiyya site in Canada and other Ahmadiyya web pages. II lrl QI -E- F \\ DI DIC \TI<> ( 1 I l A At the beginning of the \econc.J century of Ahmadiyyat, Had/ma Khalifatul Ma..,ih IV (ABA) launched a ne\\ ..,chcme called Waqf-e-Nau (New Dedication), under di\ine guid ance and inspiration, in hi., Friday Sermon of 3 April. 1987. He asked Ahmadi couple., to dedicate their yet unborn children in the wa) of Allah to <.,enc blam during the -.econd century of Ahmadiyyal. \vhich is destined to usher major victories. Thousand'> or Ahmadi familie!'. all over the world have dedicated their children under this noble scheme. In the United States. there are 197 children under the scheme. distributed by regions as follows: Region Boy., Girls Total No11heast 34 22 56 Southeast 47 29 76 Mid'"e"t 21 9 30 Wei.,t Coast 24 11 35 Total 126 11 197 A comprehensive program of moral and spiritual training has been prepared for these chil dren under Ha:oor '.\ direction and is being implemented. Parent\ of Wa<1f-e- Nau children have been exho11ed to bring about a pure change in their lives and to raise these children in a manner that they hecornc models of righteousness and sincerity. Ha-;.oo r said: "Your hearts should be full of love for Allah and His Prophet Muhammad (SA). Unlcsi., this love is running through your veins as the energy of your lives. you cannot pas., it on lo Lhe next generation of these devotees." Detailed in...tructions on the training and moral development of these children arc provided in Ha:oor 's Friday Sermons of l 0 rebruary 1989. 17 February 1989. 8 September 1989. and I December 1989. Waqf-e-Nau Children with Hadlm11 Khalifatul Masih IV (ABA) during the 1997 Jalsa Salana USA II 1\A CJ l S l RJJ1CES BY All 1ADI AJUSLIA1S IN L S t Almighty Allah says in the Holy Qur'a11: The similitudt! of those who spend tlu'ir v... ealthfor the muse of Allah is like the simil itude of a grain of com which grows se1•e11 ear.\, in each ear a hundred grains. And Allah multiplies it .fimher for whom-soever He pleases; and A I/ah is Boullf{fill, All-K11owi11g. (2:262) Dearly Re,pected Sahib1ada Mirta Muz.affar Ahmatl Sahib {Amir Jama'at Ahmadiyya. USA) A.uala1110 A/ai/..11111 1rn Rah111atullaht• wa Bara/..ot11/111. I have received your Annual Financial Report for 1996- 1997. Ja:,ak11111 A llalw Alm111C1/ Ja z.t1. Mashll Allah. Allw111do Iii/ah. May Allah safeguard you from the evil eye. You arc. by the Grace of Allah. mpidly strengthening the financial system of Jama· at Ahmadiyya America. May /\llah bless the weahh and pmpertie<, of the members of the Jama· at and continue to gr.int them the capacity to spend in the way of Allah. Thi" year your Jamaal has achieved a marvelous mcrease in the sub,criptions. May Allah make this a 'ource of blessings for you all. Plea<.e inform me of any needs of your Jama·at "'hich cannot be met from your local budget: \\>e will make them up from the share of the Center. Ma) Allah be with you. SIGNED: FINANCIAL SACRIFICES Mirta Tahir Ahmad (1443"1. INCREASE IN THE LAST 18 YEARS) Khahfatul Ma"h IV SUBSCRIPTION COLLECTION HEAD 1980-1981 1996-1997 INCREASE Ch1nd1 W111yyat $70,974 $727,296 925% Ch1nd1 Aam $115,314 $1,447,398 1155% Jain S1t1n1 $97 $173.511 FINANCIAL SACRIFICES 178777% Tehrik~1.dld $9.472 $537,540 5575% (29451~; INCREASE IN THE LAST 45 YEARS) W1qt.. "1dld $4,496 $866,749 19178% Fiac.:al Year I 19S4-1955 I 1959-1160 I 1964-1965 I 1969-1970 f 1974-1975 Zlk1t $3,024 $-43,892 1351% Co11ect1on I s20,111 I s11,351 I $14,114 I $31 ,685 I $56,199 Othera $128.073 $492,315 284% FiM:al Year I 1979·1980 I 1914-1985 I 1989-1990 I 1994-1995 ( 1998-1999' SUB-TOTAL $331 .450 $4.288,699 1194'Y. ~llection I $211,359 I SS03,711 ($2,044.582 (S3,001.039 fS6.110,ooo Moaque Fund $6,573 $925,478 13980% 'Pmooud ~ TOTAL $338,023 $5,214,177 1443% PR()(, RF~SS IN f"'IN"A ClAL SACRIFICES Bl AHI\1ADI l\IUSLl1\IS I USA 45 Years Financial Sacrifices of the Ahmadiyya Muslim Community USA 911.DOO.DOO S6,110.(ID ._I/) (ti 0 0 en '4.DOO.DOO :::> c: I/) Cl.> (.) ;;::: ·;:: $lJ)OOJ)OO (.) (ti en g)j;76 $11,351 $14,114 $311WJ SJ -r- ~ 5MO ~ 90-70 74-76 7MO 84-91! 18-00 94-90 08-00 Years 16 Years Financial Sacrifices of the Ahmadiyya Muslim Community USA ~ 6, ... , HO «I 5,214.m 0 0 en :::> &,008, 800 c: I/) Cl.> (.) :;:: ·;:: 0 2,008,000 «I en (ti {:.- r- m en a .... N .,. Ill r- m en "'m "'m m m m en en en "'en en en en en en en I I I I I I I I I I I "'I I I I N Ill r- m en a .... N Ill r- m m GJ "'GJ GJ m m en en cn "'t1I "'en en "'en en en Years PROGRESS IN FINANCIAL SACRIFlt 1 ES BY AHl\lf\DI l\IUSLIMS IN USA 16 Years Financial Sacrifices of the Ahmadiyya Muslim Community USA .,,.,..., 5",HO _...I 480)'f1T 417,190 319,21AS ~= 308,GllO 2H,- .... I 174,920 .us~. 10&.211 • I (") I[) !" ([) C'I 0 .-i N (") .... Ill I[) !" ([) ([) ([) ([) ([) ([) C'I C'I C'I C'I °' I I I I I °'I I I I °'I I °'I °'I °'I °'I N Ill I[) !" ([) C'I 0 .-i N ("') .... Ill I[) !" ([) ([) CD ([) ([) ([) ([) °' C'I C'I O'I °' °' O'\ C'I C'I Years 16 Years Financial Sacrifices of the Ahmadiyya Muslim Community USA 1,500,000 I E m <( m 1,000,000 - "C c m .r:. 0 0 ("') I[) !" ([) O'\ 0 .-i N (") .... Ill I[) r- ([) C'I ([) ([) ([) ([) ([) C'I C'I C'I O'\ C'I C'I O'\ O'\ I I I I I I I I I I I °'I °'I I I N Ill I[) !" ([) O'\ 0 .-i N ("') .... Ill I[) r- ([) ([) ([) ([) ([) ([) ([) C'I C'I C'I °' C'I C'I °' O'\ C'I Years T1\ llRJK-~:-J ADID - lJSA In 1934, Had/mu Kilalifatul Masih II, (RA), introduced a scheme called Tahrik-e-Jadid (literal meaning the New Scheme) for the propagation of Islam and Ahmadiyyat through out the world for the spiritual transformation and training of Ahmadi~ to become model Muslims in practice. There are twenty five demands of Tehrik-e-Jadid which in essence call for all Ahmadis to live a simple life and focus on their lives for the propagation and spread of Islam. A part of the sacrifices demanded under Tehrik-e-Jadid, of course, is the financial sacrifice. Without the funds, it was not possible to send missionaries overseas, print the Holy Qur'an in various languages and print books for presenting the beautiful religion of Islam to the world. In 1996-97, the Amir Jama'at USA, Sahibzada Mirza Muzaffar Ahmad, decided that we should try to become number one in the world in Tahrik-e-Jadid collections. By the Grace of Allah, the Ahmadiyya Jama'at USA responded to their Amir's call in an exceptionally sacrificing manner. The Ahmadiyya Mu-;lim Community of the United States stood sec ond in the entire world in 1996-97 and took the first position in 1997-1998. May Almighty Allah be praised for this honor and may He grant the USA Jamaal further opportunities to sacrifice in His cause. Ameen. 16 Years Financial Sacrifices 600,000 "O "O ..,co I .00,000 cp 2'1,SU C1> .x 218,IM ·~ 198,851 ~ 1!1Z,21! r:. 1Sl,m ?00,000 128,m m US Doll•r• • .., r- CD 0 ..... N .., II) .., r- CD O'I CD '°CD CD CD °'CD O'I OI C1I C1I C1I O'I O'I C1I C1I I I I I I I °' I I "'I I I I I I N Ill r- CD C1I ...... N .., .,. Ill .., r- CD CD CD '°CD CD CD CD C1I CJ\ C1I C1I O'I CJ\ C1I O'I Years \\AQF-E -.JADID - l SA Fifty years ago. when the First Jaba Salana of the USA Ahmadiyya Muslim Community was held. the Waqf-e-Jadid Scheme was introduced by Hadhr Betv.ccn 1985 and 1991 the progress of collection wa-, slow. It was in 1991 that our special efforts increa-,ed the contrihutiom from $90.000.00 lo $900.000.00 and the contributions of the Ahmadiyya Muslim Community USA ex.l·eeded the collections of the entire world. Hadhrat Khalifatul Masih IV (AB/\). evaluating the progress of the USA Ahmadiyya Community in a glohal context. in his FriJay Sermon of 9 February 1993, sail.I: "Now, remember this well that the total colb:tion from the whole world is one million, ninety-four thousanJ three hundred and sixty-one pounds 'iterling. In this is incluJed the receipt from America of fi'"e hundred and sixty-four thou-.and one hundred and 'iixty-one pounds i.tcrling. That is to say it has ex.cccdcd the entire world in the collection of this cham.la on its own. La'>l year I wai. praising that they (USA) had defeated Germany and even gone ahead of Pakistan. but the race was :-till a close one. No\\- they have left everyone so far behind that the rest will just haw to pray for them and can do nothing more than this. And the situation of America itself is such that just ten years ago. that is to say just two or almost three years after my migration to London from Pakistan. their total chanda was ahoul this amount." llcu/hrat Khalifatul Masih further said: "Ten years ago, the total buJget of the US Jamaat was $815.000! Now their Waqf-e-Jadid budget alone has become $936,800 and they have collected their data so accurately that they have included with this number 30 cents also! So the figure is $936,800.30" In complimenting the humble efforts of the US Jama' at, excellently planned hy the Amir of the USA Jama'at, Hadhrat Khalifatul Masih IV (ABA) ~lated, in his FriJay Sermon of December 1997: "So, today America stanJs in the first row amongst the Jama'ats of the entire world. If we talk in terms of pound., sterling. their collections amount to five hundred sixty-four thousand". Note: In the chart below the figures relate to the fiscal year (July to June), while collection year of the Waqf-e-Jadid Scheme follows the calenJar year (January to December). There is no discrepancy hetween the figures in the chart and in the text above. 14 Years Financial Sacrifices of the Ahmadiyya Muslim Community USA 1.000.000 IRi,749 :'5! "'O 1'° 000 ..,(tJ I Q) I -O"' ~.000 ~ 1'°.000 lnOS Doller• 4,6 8.618 o- I 18-t1 Years II I ~A ll\1AII SA Lajna Imaillah into the 21st Century Lajna lmaillah USA was organized accon.ling to the Constitution Rules and Regulation., in 1962. However. before 1962 female Ahmadis u-,ed to meet in one another's homes (known a-, circles) to study the religion, learn the prayer, and to learn reading the Holy Quran. These pioneering women also stitched clothes. cooked pies, cakes and even full course meals to raise fum.b for the Ahmadiyya Mu .. lim Community. In 1962. Lajna lmaillah USA published it!> first issue of Lajna News. a monthly newsletter consisting of activities of local lajnas. announcements, and directives from National Aamla members. In 1965. the Ayesha magazine was started. specifically as a tool for tabligh. The magazine made rapid progress. In 1985. it was mailed to more than one hundred women colleges in USA. Also in the mid-60\. Lajna prepared a '·Handbook For Women'" for new female converts. It included portions of Fiqah-e-Ahmadiyya which was rendered into Engli sh by Had/ira1 Maryam Siddiqa. The first Ahmadiyya summer camp for children wa.... established in 1965. Children, mothers. and mission aries participate in this camp, which has become a regular feature of Lajna activities. Sister Mubaraka Malik. a convert belonging to Lajna lmaillah Milwaukee. presented a copy of the Holy Quran to President Gerald Ford at the White House in 197-t '"I will not Allow the work of any worker from among you, whether male or female. to be lost." (Holy Qur'an 3: 196) Lajna lmaillah USA was judged to be the '"Best Foreign Lajna" in 1974, 1975. 1981, and 1984. Lajna lmaillah USA was select ed as the second best Lajna in 1963. 1982. and 1985. From 1982 to 1985, posters were placed in I 00 public buses in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, and in 35 buses in Zion, lllinois. During 1985, over 1500 letters were mailed to government offi cials demanding basic human rights to Ahmadi Muslims living in Pakistan. In 1988. during the preparation of the second edition of the hi.,toric 5 Volume Commentary of the Holy Quran. Lajna Imaillah USA wa-, a!.ked to prepare an index. Eleven sisters (supported by many other helpers) prepared a comprehensive index. Their labor of love was recognized by Hadlzrat Khalifatul Messiah IV (ABA) in his Jalsa Salana An index and the following listings have been added address and recorded in the introduction to the to the present edition at the end of the fifth volume: second edition in the commentary itself. • Table of Contents • Alphabeucal listing of Chapters of the Afltamdo/il/ah (all praise belongs to Allah). Holy Qur'an. • Important Arabic word~ and expressions The first National ljtema of Lajna lmaillah USA explained in the Commentary was held in 1989 in Zion, Illinois. • The Index of \ubject~ The Publishers acknowledge and sincerely thank the In 1991, five hundred copies of the speech made following members of USA Jama'at in particular and by Hadhrat Khalifatul Ma-,ih IV (ABA) to Lajna their helpers in general for the careful and the hard lmaillah on June 29, 1991 were printed anti sold. work in prepanng these listings and the inde1' ~o exhaustively: Lajna Imaillah USA collected more than half a mil Aisha Sharif. Nyceemah Yaqub, Ai~ha Hakim. Shakura lion dollars for the USA National Mosque Fund. Nooriah, Salma Gham. Kadija cl Hadi. Rafia Ramah. Khulat Alladin. Dhiya Tahira. Ulma Saeed. Farlana Lajna lmaillah USA researched, wrote. and Qader and Fatima Haneef. published 3000 copies of the "Pathway to P11bliihers Note: 5-Vol. Commentary of the Holy Quran. 2nd Ediuon Paradise" in 1996. S<>MI ()lJl'ST..t\NDINC; I AJ A IEl\IBI RS Sr. Aliyya Muhammad Hajia Aliyya Muhammad was born in 1906. She had one son. but often said that she feels lil..e the mother of all pmaat children. She wa-. a woman of many talents. A cook by profession. her home was the center of man) a meetings and classes. The beginning of an organiLed sisterhood is an honor that is her alone. She wa-. the first elected American local president of Ahmadi woman in the USA. She also served nationally as Vice Pre.'>ident. Nasirat Secretary. and Handicraft Secretary. She was instrumental in organizing and spearheading the Islamic Camp School for Ahmadi Children in USA. Her favorite words of wisdom were: "Hold on to the rope of Allah" May Allah reward her abundantly. Ameen. Sr. Aliyyah Shaheed Sr. Aliyyah Shaheed was a pioneer among Lajna Imaillah USA. She became the Pre.'>ident of the Lajna in 1946. She servL" Sr. Saeeda Lateef was elected PresiJent of the Ahmadi Women's group in 1959. She played a strong role in organizing Lajna lmaillah. She was instrumental in getting the Lajna Imaillah Constitution from the Center and implementing it in USA in 1962. The "Central Lajna Report" of August 1963 stated: "Lajna America is the second he'>t Uijna (world-wide). This Lajna ha.'> been making rapid strides on the road of progress for the la.'t two years .. Saeeda Latcet· has awakened Lajna to activity. She is a zealous worker... " Some Early American Ahmadi-Muslims I\1 \ JI IS A s Rl LI \fl, l SA Hatllm11 K halifatul Masih II (RA) founded a number of subsidiary organi7.ations to foster the spirit of moral excellem:e and to provide specific framework for the ethical and religious educa tion and training of different segments of the Jamaal. Majlis An~rullah was inaugurated by Hadhrat Khalifatul Masih II (RAJ rn 19-tO; it includes all male Ahmadi Muslims mer the age of 40. In the beginning the Ansar organizations all over the world '.l I.ITEMAAT AN/) MAJAUS-E-SHURA The National Annual ljtema of Majfa Ansarullah. USA has been held every year since 1982. Besides the National Annual ljtema. several local and regional ljtema'at have also been held regularly. In 1993, the first Majfa-e-Shura of the Maj Iis Ansarullah USA\\ as held. Hadlrmt Khalifa-tul-Masih IV (ABA) 1-.indly gave a special message for the occasion dur ing his Friday Sem1on. Since then the An~arullah M:tilis-e-Shura has been held each year regularly. Regarding one of the Shura proceedings, Ha:.oor was very pleai.ed to i.ec the reports on the deliberation of Majlis Shura. Hu:.oor (AllA) com mented. '1'he traditmn' of this important institution is being followed aumirahly." TALIM-0-TARBIYYAT PROGRAM Comprehensiw Talim program' are prepared which include Talimul Quran classes so that the members could learn tran~Jation anu commentary of the Holy Quran and study of certain hooh of the Promised Mes~iah {AS). Quarterly tests are helu. Participation ha.\ increai.ed every year since 1995. TABLIGH PROGRAM A Tabligh program. rccommenued by Majlis Shura in 1995, was sent to Hu:.oor for approval. Ha:.oor wa\ very pleased to note that a comprehensive program has been chalked out to inculcate spirit of Dai llallah in all Ansar. He: wisheu that, as well as helping Jamaal in achieving their t:u·get of Baits of2000, Ansar (with the permission of Amir Sahih) should apprn1ion and fix a target for themselves anu share the challenge. Al.AMF. !NAMM/ AWARD In 1996. it was announced that the top three Majalb with best activities during the year in the areas of Talim/Tarhiyyat. Umumi, Tabligh. lthar and Finance will be recogni7.ed and the Majlis which came lirst will be given the Alame-lnaami. Ba.,ed on the m.:tivities during the perio<.I from July I. 1996 to June 30. 1997. the following three Majalis obtained the top three posi tions and Milwaul-.ee Majlis was awarded the Alam-c-lnaami hy Respected Amir Sahih. USA: I. Mibrnukee 2. Dallas 3. Resewt·h Triangle Park. PUBLICATION PROGRAM Al-Nahl (A quarterly publication of Majlis Ansarullah. USA): In 1992, by the gr.ice of Allah, Br. FaLal Ahmad. Sadr Ansarullah, started a magazine for Ansarullah and named it ·Al-Nahl" as that wa.~ the name of a chapter in the Holy Quran. The bee does not care while it is getting old; it continues to carry out its assigned tasl-. until its last hreath. Ansmullah, Br. FaLal Ahmad thought. needed to follow that example more than anyone ehe. Since then, Al-Nahl has been published reg ularly. The following special issues of the magazine were published: i. Centenary of the fultillrnent of the prophecy of solar and lunar eclipses. ii. Baitur Rahman Mosque number at the occasion of inauguration of the Mosque. iii. Khilafat Number. iv. HaHat Mufti Muhammad Sadiq (RA) numher. v. Philo,ophy of the teaching of Islam numher. vi. Profes~or Dr. Abdus Salam number. The other publication activities are as follows: I. A monthly newsletter. entitled A11sarullali News, was started in January. 1995. Ry the grace of Allah. the new~letter ha~ since been regularly published. Tbe Newsletter is sent to all Member,. 2. A Prayer Chart with pictures and English translation was published. Tarbiyyat Depanment of UK Jama"at purchased 500 Prayer. Chans. Seeing the Chart. Ha;:oor commented: "Jazakam11/lah for the Prayer Chart that you have compiled. It was delightful. Masha Allah. and very U!.eful. Herc in UK it will he utili1ed to our benefit."" 3. A children\ hook, Ranaq and Farida, written Dr. Yusef A. Lateef. wa.s published in 1997. 4. The book' "Synopsis of Religious Preaching. P ,._..,,,....J,,,.-.. v..u .. L...11.o pi-•. 4-6-93 ~ Dear Editor Sahib, Al-Nahl. America: Assalamo Alaikum wa Rahmatullahe wa Barakatohu. I have received Ansarallah's magazine, Al Nahl, which you have sent to me. Masha-Allah, you have published a very beautiful magazine. May God Almighty give you best reward both in the world and in the life after death. May God give best reward to all of your companions also for the service in publishing this magazine and may God increase and enlighten further mental and physical capabilities of all of you. To all those who served in this cau~e. my loving salam and may God be with you. Wassalam, Khaksar. Signed: Mirta Tahir Ahmad, Khalifatul Masih IV \ ,. Al-Nahl ' II MAJI IS KHl DDAM-UL-AHI\ ADI\ YA, l SA Establishment of Majlis Khuddam-ul-Ahmadiyya: Over sixly years ago Majlis Khuddamul Ahmadiyya "a' established by Hadhrat Khlifatul Messiah II (RAJ. Mir1a Bashiruddin Mahmud Ahmad. lo save young men from modern trends of materialism and imbibe in them with the spirit of 1rue Islam. Hadhrat Khalifatul Me'>siah II (RA) stated .. the very name of the organi1.a tion indicates that its members are Ahmadi servants of mankind."" In an address at the first Khuddam Ijtema. Hadlmll Khalifatul II (RA) said: "The ~m:cess of a nation is depen dent on its youth. If thi:: youth of a nation become true custodians of its tradition then that nation can survive for centuries upon centuries. However. if the gi::nerallons of the future are negligent then a nation can never achieve success and even the progress it mal..es can be transformed into failuri::." Khuddamul Ahmadiyya in USA: In USA. Majlis Khuddamul Ahmadiyya was organized in late 1960"s. lnittally. the only National Khuddam Otlicer in USA "as a Mo'tamad ISecrelary) and Missionary-in-Charge was the Naib Sadr (Vice President) of Khuddamul Ahmadiyya under the International Sadr. at the Headquarters. in Rabwah. Pal.istan. In 1969. the Missionary-in-Charge. Imam A.R. Khan Bengali. appointed Munir Hamid of Philadelphia as the First National Qaid of USA. Therefore the first National Amla (cabinet) was setup in 1969. The following is a list of the National Quaideen of USA in chronological order: I. Munir Hamid 2. Mohammad Ismail 3. Mun1ffar A. Zafar 4. Yahyah Sharif 5. Abdul Kabir Haq 6. Nasir M. Malik 7. Syed Sajid Ahmad On November 3rd 1989. Hadhrat Khalifatul Messiah IV (ABAJ annoum:ed that : "in the future. all the auxiliary organizations of all countries will have a president in the same way as in Pal..istan and tlley will send their reporh directly to me." The fir' ' National Sadr (president) of the USA Majlis was: Dr. Qamcr A. Shamas ( 1989-199..i). Bt. Munum A. Naecm is currently the National Sadr. Majis Khu<.ldamul-Ahmadiyya. USA sinse 1994. Progress of Majlis Khuddamul Ahmadiyya in USA: From jusl a few Majahs and handful of Khuddam, by the Grace of Allah. there are now over .,i4 majali' in USA with over 2.000 Khuddam and Atfol. The following is a hrief overvie" of some of the activities and his torical cvenls: L.J Appointment of First National Qaid. Br. Munir I lamid in 1969. ':..J First National Amila meeting and National ljtema held on April 26th. 27th. and 28th. 1969 al Dayton. Ohio. :J First Alfal Summer School held in 1975. :...J Pin.I b'ue ofTari4. a new Khuddam magaline published in 1976 in conjum:tion with the Ahmadiyya G In the area ofTahligh. under the guidance of Hadhrat Khalifatul Masih IV (ABAJ through the Friday 'ennons of June 6th & 13th. 1997. a comprehensive Tahligh plan \\as developed. The future plans include: a) One-on-One Tahligh. b) Monthly Tabhgh Days. c) Placmg hool..s in libraries. d) Coordinating semmars at umvers111es. e) Participating at hool.. fair'>. In the area of education & Training. a very comprehensive ~yllabus ha;. been developed and deployed. Reside a regular and continuous emphasis on parents and regular training classes at our centers. an mdn-1dual follow up system was implemented which will remain a part of the future plan. Upon request of Majlis Khuddamul Ahmadiyya. USA. in the Friday ~crrnon of I 0 October 1997. Haclhrat Khahfatul Masih IV (ABA) gave a specific Tarhiyyat program & challenge to USA. Ha:.oor asl..ed that Set/at should be given a very high importance. Every member of the majlis should know the Sa/at with its translation and should offer live daily prayers. Majlis Khuddamul Ahmadiyya is aggressively focusing in making improve ments in the Sa/at practice. A 7-point action plan to follow up on these instructions will remain a top priority of the future Tarbiyyat plans. Another area where Majlis Khuddamul Ahmadiyya will focus is the training and guiding of new Ahmadi youth as directed by Ha:.oor (ABA) in the inaugural address of 1996 National ljtema of Majlis Khuddamul Ahmadiyya. USA (on MTA). Ha.;oor (ABA) said: ··... ) want you to keep in mind the growing number of youth through preaching. When ne\\ blood comes into the Jamaal, when people from all color. and shades and hues and previous religious belongings come over to the Jamaal. they expect to be a'>similated with \pecial care. It is that area in which we •..ecm to be remiss. unfortunately. ... We also mu'>t participate in all efforts to help lhem and to have a new sen!-.e of belonging. developed with a full loving attempt. What I have to say is simply that our welcome to them should nol be formal expression; when you sec a newcomer your heart ~hould be filled with genuine love for him . .. .1 want you to prepare in advance and welcome lhem with all your hearts with open arms. Replace what they have lost with a better love and assimilate them into the Ahmadiyya Society in a manner that they ~hou l d for get all the fee li ngs of void, suffering and loss which naturall y comes after one changes a society for any sake. But when it is National ljtema - I 996 National ljtcmn - 1997 II l()SQUE I USA Historical Dateline (1922-1998) 1922-1982 • Chicago, IL: FiN mbsmn houl'.c is estahli'hed at WX Wabash Street. • Washington. DC: A building at 2141 Leroy Pla<:c is a<:quired in 1949 and renamed the Ameri<:an l-a1I M!Njuc: it serves a' the National ht:ad4uarters until 1994. • Dayton. OH: Site h a<:qu1rcd in 19"12 and is re<:onstructed as mo'> • Piu ... burgh. PA. Mission House is ac4uirt:d in 1950. • ....rl • St Louis, MO: Mi...,ion House is ac4uired 111 1972. "'=-=t:~ ...... • Ballimorc. MD· Mi\\ion Hnu~e is ac4u1rt:d in 1975 by local Ahmad1s • Detroit. Ml: Mission House (Bait ul Mu1affarl is acqum:d in 1980: it is gutted hy arson in 1910. • Philadelphia. PA: Mi"ion House 1s pur<:ha ... ed in 1982. • Land par<:eh owned in Athen~. OH: Indianapolis. IN: Hou\ton. TX: St. Louis. MO: and Zion. II.. 1982: • Hadlmll Khalilatul Mas1h IV (ABAJ. 111 a taped me~sage. urgt:s the USA Jamaal to ronstrul'I 5 new mo,ques/mi\smn houst:s at New York. Chkago. Los Angeles. Washington, DC and Detroit. A National Mo~4ue fund ( NMF). with an i111tial targt:t of $2.5 million. is laun<:hed. Hadlm11 Khalifa1t1I Ma..,ih IV (AHA) makes a personal contribution of US S-t.'.!00. 1983: • York. PA: A two story hui lding is a<:quired for $24.900. • Willinghoro. NJ: New Jersey rnt:mbcrs acquire a 3 1/2 acre plot for 5>62,500. 1984 • Chicago. IL: At Glen Ell) n (a Chicago ..,uhurh). a re1,ident1al propert) on a 5-acre parcel ot land is acquired for $262. ~I)() and is ust:d as a place of worship and a mission house. Mort:1l\er. the hou~e adjacent to the tiN Ahmadina mi"ion house at Waha ... h Street is purchased for S:?0.000 for future extt:ns1on • Detroit.. Mt· A building 1m a 7-acre parcel of land is pun:hased ti.1r $125.000 for a 1110'>!.iuc an ..,.. - ... - a •• .;_. «.:.t."' ...... , II II MOSQUES/MISSION HOUSES IN USA BUILT IN 60 YEARS (1922-1982) = 8 Bl 11.T IN 15 YEARS (1983-1998) = 23 CURRENT TOTAL= 31 1988: • A I -acre plot. adjacent to the Wa,hmgton Mo1,que. with a house. is acquire (Some Ahmadi\)'U M111!11m Mosquel around the world slzmrn on pagel 8./ & 85) ~ ... - ·•..· ~ II C,URRI~~ f \l\rlIR A D ~ X~"'( l TIVES () ( THE i\lll\1ADIYYA l\rlUSI 1:\1 COMMUNITY USA Sahibzada Mirza Muzaffar Ahmad - Amir Sahib::.ada M. M. Ahmad, a grandson of the Promised Messiah (AS), took over as the Amir of the Ahamdiyya Muslim Community, USA in 1989 after retiring from a distinguished career in public service, which included assignments as Additional Chief Secretary, West Pakistan. Deputy Chairman of Planning Commission, Pakistan, Economic Advisor to the President of Pakistan, Finam:ial Advisor to the President, Executive Director of the World Bank and Deputy Executive Secretary of the Joint Ministerial Committee of Boan.I of Governors World Bank and IMF. He immediately started strategic planning in the areas of finance, building of new mosques, improved supply of literacure, opening of new chapters, craining and propagation. The hallmark of his tenure has been the glowing compliments paid by Hadhrat Khalifatul Masih IV (ABA) for the unprecedented and even globally unparalleled achievements in finance. The num ber of chapters has increased to forty five. In 199..i Masjid Baitur Rahman. designed in the traditional Islamic architectural style with a permanent exhi bition, library and Headquarters' Offices, was built and inaugurated in an internationally attended and glob ally broadcast ceremony. Numerous publications have been launched in the fields of training, propagation, and in the commemoration of landmark events. Exhibitions have been held in Detroit (Michigan). New York (New York) and in Silver Spring (Maryland). Permanent exhibitions have been built in New York. Dayton, Chicago and Silver Spring (in the Masjid Baitur Rahman). All major chapters have their own newsletters. The system of international transmission of the sermons of Hadhrat Khalifatul Masih TV, starting with weekly transmissions in 1993, blossomed into the establishment of an earth station, jointly sponsored by the US and the Canadian Ahmadiyya Muslim Communities, culminating in the Internet transmi!-.sions in 1998. Muslim Ahmadiyya Television - USA's Studio. built in the American Fazl Mosque, in 1996, stai1ed its pro duction and shipping its tapes to the Marka-:. (Center) that year. 1998 National Executive Committee (Majlis-e-Amla) N \ TIC>NAl F XI (l TI\ f. t•()l\11\tlTTF E (l\I \JI IS-F - \r\11 A) Amir Sahibta Trustees Rashid Ahmad, Abi Missionaries Mirza Mahmud Ahmad , Mubasher Ahma Devotees Headquarters Zaheer A. Bajwa Bilal A. Salam Secretaries General Secretary Dr. Masoud Ahma National Auxiliaries Sadr Lajna lmaillah Salma Ghani Sadr Khuddamul Ahmadiyya Munum Naeem Sactr Ansarullah Dr. Karimullah Zirvi II t\.H:\1 \DIY\A :\ll SI l~ CCll\ll\llNil II SI lSA Regional Missionaries and Local Jama' at Presidents National Headquarters M1.111mum Syed Sham-,haJ A. a\ir Mid-South Region Tel: 301-879-01 IO Miuimwn 7.al:ir A Sarwar Fax: 301-879-0115 Tel: 7 U-896-8989 Fax: 7 13-896-8989 Devotee Bilal A. Salam Tel: 410-664-2747 Jamn'at l'reside11t Telepl1011e Jama'at Pre1ide111 Teleplto11e Bultimure. MD Ahdul Ra,hid Fauti 410-653-2540 Dalla'>. TX Akram Chaudhry 817-430-4317 Maryland Dr. Laee4 Ahmad 301-983 -8304 Hou ~ton, TX Munurn A. Naccm 21! 1-360-9756 Metm DC Atxlul Haleem 202-889-6517 M1am1.FL. Atxlul 8:1,11 95+747-4748 Nonh Virginia Dr. Syed A. l\1aj1J 703-968-9109 New Orlean'>. LA Ba'>h1rud Din Sham-, 601-26+151!! North-East Region Suulh t\lid-\\ei.t Mt.rstOIWI)' Daud A. Hanit Mi.ui Jama'at Preside11t Telephone Jama 'at Pre.1ide11t Te/epl1011e Albany. NY Dr. Abdul Hamccd 5 18-478-9426 Alahama. TN Dr. M. M Ahba• 205-880-2360 Bo,ton. MA Majeed A. Mian 508-695 2369 SC/GA Mahmood Ahmad 706-860-1629 Brno~lyn. NY Dr. Shahid Ahmed 718-698-!IO 18 St. Looi\, MO Munir Ahmad 3 14-261-9783 Hanford. CT Mantoor Mannan 203-794-9304 Tulsa. OK Abdur R. Momcn 918-743-1114 New York. NY Na1ir A. Ayaz 718-263-0717 North Jen.cy, NJ Dr. Imti.u A. Chuudhary 732-842-7742 Rochester. NY Dr. Nasecr A. Tahir 716-385-1874 West Mid· West Missionary A1har Hance!' Tel: 630-790-080-1 South-East Region Fax: 630 790-0886 Miuiu11an- Mubai.her Ahmad Tel: 215-464-8465 Fax: 21546+3905 Jama'at President Tt>lephone Chicago. IL Falahuddm Sham' 847-382-5434 Milwaulee. WI Na,rullah Ahmad 414-962-6839 Jama'at President Teleplionl' St. Paul. MN Dr M.A. Kahliq 507-345-3653 Charlotte. NC Nam A. ChauJary 70+-596-K202 Zion. IL Ha\\;m Ha~eem 847-623-3402 Ph1ladelph1a. PA Munir Hamid 215-455-0812 Pittsburg. PA Omar Shaheed 412-466-1691 Re,earch Triangle. NC Dr. Wajeeh Bajwa l) 19-859-820!! West-Coast Region Willingboro, NJ Dr. Ah,anullah U. Zafar 609-466-9014 Misswnury lnamul Ha4 Kauser Yori... PA Ya.,in Sharif 7 17-730-3767 Tel: 909-6211-4699 Fax: 909-627-0308 Mid-East Region Jama'at l'r e.~ide11t Telephone Mil~imwn· Mirta Mahmood Ahmad L.A. Ea~t. CA Dr. Hamid U. Rahman 7t.Vl97-1008 Tel: 937-268-9730 L. A. West. CA Jalaluddin Ahmed ] I 0-542-4542 Fax: 937 268-0279 Merced. CA Ahtlur Ra41b Wali 209-383-6766 Phoeni~.AZ Munir A Malik 602-786-5300 Ponland. OR M1r1.a M. Lu4man 503-245-9(~ 1 Jama'al Preside11J Telephone San Diego, CA Ibrahim Naecm 619-579-3921 Athens. 011 Dr. Ba\haral M. M1r1a 6 14-797-481 I San Franci .. co. CA S. A. 1Ja4i Shams 510-687-8637 Cleveland, OH Dr Nai.im Rehrnatullah 440-593-6530 San Jo~. CA Wa.,.m Mahl 510-744-1856 Columbu~. OH Dr. Abdu' Salam ~lahl 614-450-0106 Santa Maria. CA l~ramul Haq Jatala 805-349-8404 Dayton. OH Ammullah Ahmad 937-276-5497 I Seattle, WA Abdul Haye Sial 206-454-1968 Detroit. Ml Dr. Ba.,h1ruddm K. Ahmad 248-641 9121 Tucson, AZ M. 1,hu4 Qureshi 520-884-896-1 AHMADIYYA MUSLIM COMMUNITIES IN USA Mosques and Mission Houses National lllinois (com'dJ New Jersey Ohio (cont'd) C hica~o (co11t'd) Clifton Da~ton Headquarters 2134-36 N. Van Buren Avenue Baitul Wahid Fazl-e-Umar Mosque Chicago. IL 6061 2 291 Crooks Avenue 637 Randolph Street Sihcr Sprin~. \ID Tel: 312-226-0500 Clifton. NJ 07011 Dayton. Ohio 45408 Ba1tur Rahman Mosque Tel: 973-340-4637 Tel: 937-268-0279 I "\()(XI Good Hope Road 2 S. 5 Ill Roule 53 Silver Springs. MD 20905 Glen Ellyn. IL 60117 Old Bridge Oregon Tel: 301-879 0110 Tel: 630 790-0804 Bai1ul lladi l'orthmd 27 South Street Ri1:~a11 Mosque Arizona Zion O ld Bridge. NJ 08057 9925 S.W. 35th Drive 21 !H Gahricl Street Tel: 732-360-200 I Portland. OR 97219 Tucson Zion. IL 60099 Tel: 503-644-5833 Yousuf Mo-.4ue Tel: 3 12-746-5585 Willingboro 250 West Speedway 24 Bridge Street Pennsylvania Tuc-;on. AZ 85705 Willingboro. NJ 08046 Philadelphia Tel: 5::!0-624-4100 Louisiana New Orleans Tel: 609-877-2833 Nasir Mo~quc 5120 N. 10th Street California 3817 Calarado Avenue Kenner. LA 70065 New York Philadelphia. PA 19140 Los An~elci. Tel: 504-464-9837 Alban) Tel: 215-455-4655 Ba1tul Hamced Mosque ---~ 941 Ri\er Road 194 1 Ramona Avenue Pittsburgh Schenecta Published hy the Ahmadi.'.'3 \luslim Communit_\, LSA CMa.~jid Bait-ur-Rahman. 151XIO Goo